Pictures of chicks coming out of eggs and tulip bulbs, while endearingly sweet in their own way, are not an accurate representation of the cleansing potential of spring.  

Spring is traditionally a time for fresh starts and new beginnings.  It is a chance to live anew, and change for the better.  There are many different springtime traditions all throughout the world.  In China, people clean their houses, all their clothing, and even their spirits in anticipation of spring.  In Iran, people celebrate Khaneh Takani which means “shaking the house.”  This takes place every 21st of March and consists of cleaning every inch of the house and commonly getting new clothes.  In America, we generally dust the fans and railings (this is the only time of year that we do this taxing, 15-minute chore) and use the excuse of “Spring cleaning” to get out of a few neighborhood parties.  

Whether you live in the Middle East or South Jordan, Utah, odds are, you have some traditions of cleansing that generally poke out their heads the same time as the chicks and tulips.  While this is excellent, the opportunity to clear out unneeded baggage and obtain renewal in all aspects is an ideal that very few take full advantage of.  Cleaning the house is undoubtedly helpful, but let us take a step back from the monotony of organizing the pantry and ponder the possibilities of spring cleaning the mind.  

The mind is an extraordinary thing.  Everyone lives in, through, and by our brains.  Making sure that one has a healthy brain is not only of the utmost importance to your functionality in this life, but to your happiness as well.  So dust off your favorite book, and read.  Brush your teeth, and show them in your smile.  Take a mental health day, meditate, ponder, and muse.  A healthy mind is the best way to enjoy life.