“No Way!”, my three kids protested, as I half-heartedly offered them mittens and hats on this cold spring morning.

“Okay, then”, I sigh, and console myself with the memory of our pediatrician’s good wisdom about “natural consequences”—which, of course, should have been waiting for them on the other side of the door. I really expected the kids to come running back in from that 23 degree icy morning wind, asking for their winter garb with cold fingers outstretched. But, you probably already guessed how this story turns out.

Walking into the blustery chill, hands thrust into pockets, heads down, determined steps. “How about it, girls? Mittens?”

“Nope” rang the chorus of resistance.

Truth be told: They aren’t the only ones in denial. I guess I too was hoodwinked by last week’s weather– pulling out summer clothes and sandals (aw, and might have actually bought a pair, or two, ahem, three-do wedges count??)–I earnestly hoped that that heat would last. Keeping it real? I even called the sprinkler company and asked them turn the water back on so we could do water sports in the backyard.

As reflected in our children, I see that there is a certain kind of clinging to what I want, a clinging that also had me rejecting the present moment of this frigid morning. But, maybe this isn’t the only place in our lives where we resist what is present, you know?

Like on those days when our bodies are tired, but resisting the urge to restore ourselves, we pour a little more caffeine and keep on trucking. Or when we know in our hearts the answer is “yes” or “no” but we offer the response that others want us to say. So, from a place of good intentions, we sometimes cause ourselves unnecessary frustration by clinging to an “idea” about ourselves or a situation that is literally no longer in season– an idea that no longer honors the truth of this present moment.

I know for myself, it is at times, more familiar to stay attached to an “idea” of how things should be, instead of gathering the courage and audacity to embrace the way things really are (as difficult or painful or disappointing as it might be): With all the dirty laundry, the homework yet to be completed, the frost on the blooms, with all of it, exactly as it is. Because when we allow in what is actually here, well, then perhaps we can relax a little bit more into this moment. And if we’re more relaxed, then we stand a good chance of letting in a little more joy and peace into our hearts.

Maybe true renewal, the spring we all crave, can be found simply by relaxing into and accepting this very moment as it is. But Shhh…don’t tell our daffodils! They think it’ll be 80 again tomorrow!