Guest Blogger, Cherina Johnson is the owner of Upstairs Resale Shop located in Saginaw, MI, which is currently operating as an online and pop-up store.

A benefit of living in Michigan is that you get to experience all four seasons. Each season brings forth certain characteristics from beautiful landscapes to various weather conditions. Each season within itself can stand on its own and in the forefront at its appointed time during the year to showcase its strengths and reveal its weaknesses.

We are still in the midst of a pandemic, but do not let the pandemic get inside of you through complaining and having a gloomy outlook on life. A lot of devastating things have happened since spring 2020; thousands of deaths, job losses, and business closures. While acknowledging these things, let us also recognize the positive things that has spring forth: more family time spent together, businesses pivoting into new ventures to survive, and work from home that allowed parents to be present to assist child with virtual learning.

It is inevitable that life will throw you some twists and turns throughout your seasons. The outcome will depend on how you act in the midst of the challenges. Either you will react or respond to the situation. Reactions are emotionally driven and most likely to be accompanied with regret. On the other hand, when a person responds to a situation it tends not to be done hastily, but given thought into how to proceed and overcome the circumstance at hand. Just like the seasons come and go, know that wherever you find yourself in life at this given time, it will surely pass. Therefore, let go of things that have held you down, that has frustrated you, and kept you from moving forward because you are stuck in the past. This is your season to let go of fears, disappointments, uncertainties, jealousies, and inadequacies. This is your time to rise up and spring into new opportunities and new beginnings in your life, family, workplace, and community. This is your time to shine and launch into endless possibilities.

Spring into life…