Then one fine morning, spring arrives! And what an arrival it is. You can actually feel the change in the very air. Suddenly birds are all breaking out in song, and I don’t mean just the feathered kind. And what a show Nature puts up. You might have driven past a drab looking, forlorn tree, sad and leafless just the previous evening. Come the next morning, and the tree is an explosion of flowers, like somebody just turned the lights on. It is a riot of colours, as apple, pear, and cherry trees lining roads, vie with each other in putting up the most spectacular display of blossoms; not to speak of the orderly rows of tulips, daisies, lilies, and dahlias in gardens and the exuberant wildflowers along walking trails.

Once the darling buds of May, err—March have opened up, Nature settles in for her renewal rites. Green! In all its myriad shades of Rebirth, Rejuvenation and Regeneration. Each tightly curled leaf unfurls itself to reveal another hue of Life.

It is amazing how much nature affects human psyche… come spring and there literally is a spring in everyone’s step. People are out there walking, jogging and biking. It is such a relief to cast away the burden of the layers of dark winter wools and heavy fabrics and let the skin finally breathe some fresh air and soak in the sun. To finally be able to leave windows open and enjoy the delicious breeze wafting in.

I particularly relish the delicate fragrance of the jasmines which begin to bloom again in the joy of being kept out in the sun after the cold months spent indoors, protected by the artificial heat inside. Tulasi, kariveppila, chembaruthi… they all finally get to see the sun. Spring is also the time when Nature displays her bounty. Farmers markets—local trade centres where farmers sell directly to consumers bypassing retail giants—overflow with luscious berries and fresh spring vegetables.

Beautiful colours, crunchy tastes and great weather… the perfect combo to inspire people to get off their behinds and take a walk to get rid of all those unwanted pounds put on gorging on rich festive foods and heavy comfort foods eaten to chase away the winter blues.

And that reminds me that I need to take that walk… now!