In honor of the quiet arrival of Spring, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate the promise of a new beginning. Living in Detroit, we know far too well the way weather plays with our emotions. We can be scorched by incessant heat or battling an ice storm – all within two hours. Yet, we continue to live in this beautiful city, with the hopes of the days where we can ride with the top down, singing our favorite Beyoncé song. Yes, that time has indeed arrived. There is magic happening in this city and we can finally harness it in the sunlight.

As I look back on this treacherous winter, I am reminded of growth. Sometimes, we are so consumed by the destination that we don’t take time to appreciate the journey. We have weathered too many storms without recognition. Thanks to capitalism. Greed rules with an iron fist and we are indebted to endless productivity. But what if we took that same energy and channeled it towards ourselves? Our communities? Our inner peace? Imagine a world that valued building the collective as opposed to competing with the whole. This new feeling of purpose could stimulate communities and rejuvenate spirits – many broken down from the same recycled systems.

This year, let the change in weather ignite the change in you. From this day forward, I challenge everyone to stop and smell the roses – literally and figuratively. Spring brings such a renewed sense of clarity and light. With this new lens, I challenge you to chart a new path. Laugh. Breathe. Smile. Cherish loved ones. And above all, when given the choice to be right or kind, always be kind.