we've sprung.

although in terms of the weather in syracuse it is not technically spring yet, in my mind - we've sprung. and i guess that's all that really matters. i've sprung in every way possible. it's still cold out but my winter coat is collecting dust in the closet. and i've let some sunlight into the blog and my roommate is making sweet tea. usually in the spring i feel the urge to cut off all my hair. i'm not sure why. if you've ever cut a large amount of your hair off before, i'm sure you can relate to that "i just lost five pounds, weight-off-my-shoulders, freeing feeling" that comes with it. to say goodbye to winter, i give myself a lighter step into the next season. shed some of the winter blues and suffocating feelings of being trapped inside during blizzards. i also don't cut my hair much, so this is also probably why the timing always lines up.

this year in my attempt to spring myself forward, i left the hair as is (loving it & it's not long enough to donate yet) and on a whim, pierced my nose instead. my dad is worried. he thinks i'm going to want a tattoo next week now. dad's are funny when they worry about their daughters. it bugs me sometimes but mostly it makes me laugh. i'm still the same. still me. still dre. still (kind of) his little girl. the only difference is there's a very small diamond on my nose. i like it - just a little shimmer. a little something.

and what i've learned in my short 23 years of life thus far is that sometimes it doesn't take much for someone to feel like they shine. all we really want is to be around people who make us shine a little. and there's nothing wrong with that. we all embody something in us that is light and free and joyful and good. when our insecurities kick in and we convince ourselves to push that down rather than radiate it outwards... well, that is when we get ourselves into a pickle.

you should watch this. put the volume up loud. it's a happy and sunny song/video. perfect for springing forward...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8YCSJpF4g4

be you. be free. and most importantly, don't be afraid to shine.