The changing of seasons often brings a shift of energy. Like it or not - the dog days of summer have come to a close as we welcomed the autumn equinox this past week.
Crisp cool temperatures & leaves beginning to tumble and crumble in our backyard... I can't help but pause to thank God for the constant reminder of renewal: the end of summer and the start of fall. The ebb + flow of life.
The energy fall cultivates can often lead to busy schedules - overbooked calendars + burnout by the holidays. Fall's back-to-school hustle and bustle sweeps us all up into the whirlwind of sports, activities and events galore.
For years -- fall meant an overly packed audition calendar in nyc. A wild social calendar & a plethora of side jobs bouncing me from borough to borough. Hours spent commuting on the train, bus or subway and holidays spent away from family, working theatre contracts.
Nowadays.. fall is spent decorating our 100-year-old farmhouse in Florence, NJ. It's saying goodbye to our summer harvest + backyard garden. It's taking our doggie (@thegolden.asher) on hikes + adventures for pup cups, flower stands and peaceful views. I can't help but giggle at the difference a few years can make....
The changing of the seasons mirrors the yin + yang of our lives. The dark days and light days. The happy moments and the sad moments. The highs and the lows. The flow through it all.
Mother nature does not refuse the transitions. The plants, birds, bugs + trees all dance about their daily rituals.... shaping and shifting with the ever changing temperatures and shifting winds. I recently read in the 1989 book "The Secret Life of Plants" that plants move about just as humans do. Humans are simply moving too fast to notice their movement.
When was the last time you paused to notice the trees dancing around you?
Just as the sky changes colors, the clouds shift and shape and the birdies migrate.. we too should learn to honor the changes and seasons of life. Of course this path to least resistance does not come easily, quickly or without trial (Matthew 7:13-14 highlights this concept). The reward however.. is discovering the peace and joy in the journey rather than false hope in future gains.
When we take the time to slow down and focus on what truly matters - we become aware of the harmful culture of overstimulation. The narrative to overwork, overproduce, overstretch, over-socialize, etc. is toxic. Take care of yourself. Don't neglect to put self-care on your calendar this fall.
I'm using a new app called, "Habit Tracker" to help me stay focused on what matters day to day! For me - it's my food + water intake, exercise, meditation, yoga, journaling & reading. I have little notifications to remind me to take the time to do these tasks that keep me grounded, centered + feeling my best. Try holding yourself accountable this week to spend a bit more time outside -- taking time to notice the trees, flowers + plants as they gracefully usher in the cooler months.
Encouraging you to slow down this fall. xo, Meghan
photos: @shilohgracephotography | location: childhood home, mom's sunroom w. @knottylizard
Yes to more time outside! I so appreciate this affirmation of my own habit. Taking time to go outside, look up and breathe grounds me in the here and now, which is all we really have anyway. Thanks for this post, friend.