Image courtesy of Simon Howden
With October's arrival, autumn's fanciful colors, blythe spirit and reminder to take time for reflection have arrived on our doorsteps as well. I adore autumn. It is my favorite season, for many reasons. When else can I experience all the gorgeous coloring fall brings -- oranges, reds, golds that make my heart sing? When else can I feel warm sun and a cool breeze at the same time along with that "fall is in the air" expectation, that sense of anticipation and excitement that something is coming?
(As an aside to Brides -- it's a great time for a wedding -- not too hot, not too cold and the decorating is done by nature.)
Fall is the cozy season. We cozy up with sweaters, alongside fires, and with bowls of soup and cups of hot cocoa. It is the season for coming back inside after the outdoorsy-ness and heat of summer. I relish time for not only a respite from the cold, but a respite from my busy schedule, time to re-group.
Today I allowed myself what felt like a luxury - the gift of taking time out. Those who know me might be shocked to learn I actually slept until 8 and didn't remove myself from bed until 9 when I could fully say "I'm ready to get up" without a "should" injected. For a normally early-rising, go, go go girl, resting, then just sitting, mindfully and quietly with my tea, was a much needed treat.
It is also a time of Celebration! In the 'old days' (yes, even before I was a child) families celebrated the fall harvest, canning and packing food away for the winter and rejoicing in their bounty of crops. While I might not have a cellar full of food to celebrate, it is a good time for me to take stock, celebrate what I have, and start to let go to make room for what is coming next.
Today I invite you to celebrate and review your fall harvest. I have had an amazing year full of inspiring experiences, travel, creative and sweet brides & grooms to marry, the privilege to honor departed souls, and some very sweet retreats with women I call friends more than clients.
Organizing my client files, purging my office of a few books, starting the creative process with my spring 2012 couples, and planning a few fun excursions for the next few months, will put my 'house in order' for winter and prepare me for rolling into the holidays and ending 2011.
Today I'll prepare for relatives visiting this week, by cleaning and decorating the house with my stash of gorgeous gourds found during a visit to a farm stand yesterday.
Surround yourself with the beauty of fall in whatever way it speaks to you. Celebrate your fall harvest by taking time for yourself, clearing the clutter (if only from your mind) and allowing every day of this season to be a Celebration.
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