A perfect confluence = New Beginnings

Two reasons why Spring is my favorite time of year: Baseball and Passover.

(For the non-Jews in the room, substitute Easter for Passover. Same idea).

They both represent the same things:

Renewal.

Regeneration.

For Christians, because it involves the rising of Christ, it’s literally about rebirth.

For Cubs fans, because it involves the rising of Theo Epstein, it’s literally about rebirth.

(And the chances for a miracle are about equal for either.)

Passover/Easter and baseball mean green grass, spring air, the olfactory essence of fresh starts.

Hot Cross Buns, Maror and Matzah, and shelled, salty peanuts. The flavor of potential beginnings.

Can you smell it? Can you taste it?

Hope springs most eternally in the Spring.

Passover is here. Easter is here. Baseball is here. All starting at the same time this year. A magical perfect confluence.

Think about your new beginnings. What you might take up that you’ve been meaning to do.

Pluck that hanging chad of a to-do at the bottom of your list. Go out to a sunny spot, bless it with some of your best thinking, and give it the chance of a new beginning.

Get all Theo Epstein on it and see what happens.

Just remember, Spring planting takes time to grow.

Just ask Theo.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year

This is (by far) my favorite time of year. My favorite things happen right around now: Baseball gets started (the teams I coach in my community, and the ones I watch on TV). Passover, my favorite holiday, hits right about now, and needless to say, as I write this to the hum of dueling leafblowers and lawnmowers outside my window, brown turns to green and snow shovels get replaced by deck chairs and the air just smells damn good.

There’s a reason “Hope Springs Eternal” has been appearing on T-shirts and bumper stickers and various media since Alexander Pope’s 1733 poem “An Essay on Man.” And it’s not just because it’s a great first line for a Haiku.

We all want to have Hope, whether it's for something better or tastier or easier or fluffier. It's human nature and without it we'd be lifeless, uninteresting lumps. Thing is, Hope seldom actively comes to us. Which is why Spring is so awesome.

It not only represents regeneration and recognizes the circle of life, it gives a nod to rebirth, as anyone who’s ever celebrated Easter or Passover can attest. I’m sure many of you seder-celebrators ate eggs last night, and I’m assuming you talked about all of the various significant explanations related to New Life. And coming from a Cubs fan, believe me, this is greatly appreciated every March.

Spring is the official season of Re. So rejuvenate, resuscitate, revitalize and revisit. Use this time of year to recharge your engines, take a step back from a daily challenge, and look at it a little differently. Try some collaboration while you're at it. Can't hurt.

Twist things up a little bit, and Hope will come to you.