Every February, a whisper of excitement travels to the air in Japan.

Months before the season even begins, most of Japan prepares for one of Mother Nature's most stunning displays.

It's the cherry blossom season, or Secura, as they're known in Japan.

While the season has been celebrated for centuries, the breathtaking allure lasts only for a week,

sometimes two at most, before the secure snow falls to the ground or is carried off by the breeze.

Because of this short-lived phenomenon, the flowers have come to represent life's brief,

fleeting time that each of us have. The Japanese actually have a phrase for this,

mono no aware, which literally translates to

the pathos of things, or more simply, the better sweet understanding that everything is temporary.

It's not meant to be a general sadness, but rather a deep emotion when one realizes that

everything is passing and of its own time and place. Through this awareness, many have

taken the mindfulness approach to be present in each moment. But Chad, you say, I came back to hear part two of this series on depression.

Not to be more depressed.

Why all the gloom?

Well, I'm grateful you ask, because as you will soon see in just a moment,

Secures or Cherry Blossoms,

offer us more than just a passing stroll through gloom garden.

So, Jen up, yes, it may be weeks away from cherry blossom season,

and it is on the other side of the planet,

but I guarantee you the same sun that brings life to millions of blossoms across the pond, passes over your head each day

in hopes of seeing you just the same.

Join me as we go into part two of this series on depression, bringing the conversation to the coffee tables as we open up and find ways to take each step one after the other.

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