#107. The Spirit of Easter
A Way To Live
Welcome to the blog post #107! Click here to read more from previous posts.
Today, I’ve joined billions of Christians around the world in celebrating Easter. Beyond religious meaning, Easter holds a universal message. You don’t have to be a Christian to embrace the values of hope, renewal, and transformation. These are cornerstones of personal growth—for everyone.
As a tradition, we give each other Easter eggs as a symbol of new lives and new beginnings. This morning, our family also received a cute basket of Easter eggs at church. My kids, especially the little boy, were very excited. I took this chance to explain to my kids that, like the chick breaking free from its shell, we all have the potential for new starts.
The basket of Easter eggs we were given this morning at Mai Khôi Parish, Ho Chi Minh city
Nature offers us powerful metaphors for these new beginnings.
Think about a caterpillar. Inside its cocoon, it literally dissolves into goo before transforming into a butterfly. This process is messy and uncomfortable, but it’s essential to its growth in the life cycle.
Chuang Tzu described this process beautifully:
"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly."
Another beautiful example is the growth of a seed into a tree. To become something greater than itself, a tiny seed must crack open and push through layers of soil. This transformation doesn’t happen overnight—it unfolds slowly, quietly, and out of sight. It reminds me that meaningful growth takes time and patience.
But beyond new starts, the Easter spirit is also about the courage to let go of old patterns—anything that holds us back. That might be negativity, complacency, or the fear of pursuing what truly matters to us.
So ask yourself: What small step can you take today to embrace your own transformation?
Perhaps it's forgiving someone who hurt you.
Starting a good habit.
Or simply pausing to feel gratitude.
Gratitude might sound like a cliché, but I’ve found it’s one of the most powerful practices. When I focus on appreciating what I already have, I desire less. And when I desire less, I feel more peace. More presence. More joy.
Easter is not just a religious event or a holiday. It’s a spirit we can carry with us—every day, in every small act of courage, kindness, or growth—as we strive to become the best versions of ourselves.
Let me close with the beautiful words of Kate McGahan:
"The very first Easter taught us this: that life never ends and love never dies."
Happy Easter! Wishing you blessings and joy.
That’s all for today.
Till next time!
Cheers,
Do Thi Dieu Thuong