Spring has sprung. The tulips are blooming, the trees are covered with bright new foliage, and baby birds are raising their heads from their nests. This time of year is a season of growth and development and also a  good time to pause and evaluate your own growth and development. It is easy to just keep following the day-to-day grind without  ever stopping to look at where that grind is or isn't taking you.

With all this green growy spring energy in the air why not take the time to ask yourself three easy and eye opening questions:

You've probably heard all the studies that say how much television people watch every day   (current studies estimate  35 hours per week for Americans) and say to yourself, yeah but that's not me. It's not just the amount of television you watch but also why you are watching in the first place.

April 15th, our least favorite day of the year. The day when taxes are due and the piper must be paid, or at least the IRS. Once the taxes are filed and the boxes of receipts are stashed away, it's a good idea to take a moment to look back over the previous year and review the financial decisions you have made and reflect on the impact those decisions have made on your life.

In this busy day and age it is so wonderful to have friends to lean on when times are stressful or even just to share a good laugh with when you need a pick-me-up.

Maintaining friendships is an important way to lessen the stress in your life and also stay connected to what's real.  A good friend will tell you when you are right on track and support you in your growth and development. They will also tell you when you have gone too far, when your decisions are less than wise, and when it is time to get motivated.

There is something about the light this time of year that always seems to inspire me and put me in a good mood.  Whether it is the cool light of a winter sunrise or the warm glow of a fireplace, light seems to take on many facets during this time of year.

And so many of the holiday traditions that we carry forward each year are filled with the glow and inspiration of light.  In celebrating Chanukah the Menorah brings light to this holiday commemorating the miracle of the oil, while the Kinara, part of Kwanza, is lit to represent the seven guiding principals. In South India they light clay lamps on the rooftops and walls of their houses, the same way as Hindus decorate their homes during the Diwali Festival.

During this festive holiday time of year it is amazing the number of things that can turn from joyous to stressful in just the blink of an eye. Money, or the lack of it, is often a source of stress and anxiety as the holidays approach.  It can lead to arguments between couples, stress in families, and a sense of anxiety for those making it on their own. It is a facet of modern living that greatly influences our relationship with ourselves and others and yet it is a subject that very few people are comfortable speaking about openly.

In many cases, our associations with money have become such a negative influence and our expectations of the holidays so high that it becomes impossible to balance the two. There is also a huge amount of pressure from friends, family and society to buy the "perfect gift", or at least display the material symbols of success.

Money, or the lack of it, is often a source of stress and anxiety. It can lead to arguments between couples, stress in families, and a sense of anxiety for those making it on their own. It is a facet of modern living that greatly influences our relationship with ourselves and others and yet it is a subject that very few people are comfortable speaking about openly.

In many cases, our associations with money have become such a negative influence in our lives that it can be challenging to shift our negative beliefs into healthy ones. There is also a huge amount of pressure from friends, family and society to succeed, or at least display the material symbols of success. Thus, for many of us, success doesn't exist without money.

A recent experience reminded me of the power of paying attention to the challenges that present themselves in our daily lives. I was on my way to the store, going over my grocery list in my mind as I drove. As I pulled into the busy parking lot, I saw a space and pulled in to park. I opened my car door and a man started barking obscenities, ranting furiously that I had taken his parking space.

At this point, as in any moment that involves the presence of intense emotion, I had a choice...

On this, the longest day of the year, signs of growth and change are everywhere. From tomotoes ripening on the vine to marigolds bursting forth in brilliant orange, change is in the air and new growth is all around us.

Growth and change are intertwined in our lives. Though it is often uncomfortable and sometimes frightening, the changes that confront us in our lives are integral to our ability to grow and develop as people. Change is one thing that is constant in our lives, so fighting against it is not only futile, but it also inhibits our ability to shed our fears and insecurities.

Having big dreams is one of the catalyst that’s helps us to grow and develop as human beings.  In therapy, we often uncover those big dreams and they become a goal, a beacon that provides inspiration for action and movement.

It is a vital part of personal development to have a dream that keeps us involved in our own life experience. Yet sometimes blocks, barricades, and hurdles slow our progress and make us question if our dream is even attainable. Rather than interpreting this energy as the universe saying NO!, to your dream perhaps the message is a more subtle, Not Yet.