About

Welcome to the Garden!... :)

Welcome to the Garden of the Spring Lanterns.

Here you are safe. Here you can rest.

The Garden is for anyone who needs a place to pause, breathe, and remember that life, like an actual garden, is always growing, always renewing, and always capable of bringing beauty back into our hearts.

Spring Has Sprung – In Your Heart

Spring reminds us of renewal. The season springs forth from the inner spring of nature’s boundless vitality. We hold that strength inside at all times – even if sometimes it’s hard to see or feel it.

In my own life, there were many times when I forgot my own inner spring and got lost on the way. That’s how it is sometimes… we struggle, fall down, get up and then fall back down a few more times. Life isn’t easy. But you don’t need me to tell you about that.

That’s why I wanted to create a soothing little sanctuary where anyone can stop by, light a “little lantern,” and rediscover their soul’s hidden springs of beauty, love and healing.

Whenever you read one of our little Spring Lantern posts, you do precisely that.

• You nurture your soul.

• You kindle the fire of springtime.

• You replenish yourself and regain that power to move forward.
  

All the posts you’ll find here — our own “little lanterns” — are written with the hope of offering warmth, encouragement, and a reminder that, even in the darkest of times, a little light can always shine the way home.

Gentle Inspiration

Garden of the Spring Lanterns was inspired by my own struggle with overcoming depression and difficulty, and by a very special person, whose music and spirit of gentle strength helped me face my inner demons and start a new life. That person is Izumi Sakai (1967-2007), the lead singer and songwriter of the Japanese music group ZARD (photo above).

Sometimes, when all the teachers and wise men of the world fail to help us, a simple, timeless song is enough to bring back that gentle warmth the heart needs to turn back from the shadows.

But in the spirit of Ms. Sakai’s work, I’d rather not focus on darkness past. Instead, let’s look together toward the future and light as many of our little lanterns as we can… to illuminate the way out of sorrow and heartbreak, and see the path to joy and light.

Thank you for reading about our little Spring Lanterns. I hope your stay here brings the peace and relief that you’re searching for.