Autumn, that beautiful time of year when the sun shines brightly on the East Coast, the days get cooler and nature’s colors start to pop in brilliant hues of orange, yellow and red. There is no better place to be at this time of year.
I love Autumn. Its definitely one of my favorite seasons, especially as an adult.
To me, in so many ways, fall is a time of transition. The end of summer, the kids going back to school, a new routine, crisp clear sunny days, sweaters and boots, apple picking and pumpkins. It’s the harvest season, a time of giving thanks for the abundance in our life.
As we transition into the new season, sometimes people get the feeling of being a bit “off”. It’s in this space of transition, we sometimes take the gifts in our life for granted hurrying through our days as they become shorter and colder and darkness comes earlier.
This year, I am feeling both grateful and at times a little down. I had in my head that by the Fall, I’d be feeling 100% again. Then, when September came and I was still feeling the yucky side effects from the Tamoxifen and feeling tired. I got really down on myself. Despite the Doctors telling me I am doing great, I am harder on myself than anyone else.
I am eating right, doing yoga, walking and starting to exercise more – but why am I not 100% yet? Why am I feeling that I have to be on a specific time table people ask me? Think of how great I am doing after all I have been through this year etc. Maybe because I am so ready to put this journey behind me and transition into the next phase of MVP – the phase of Miracles, Vitality and Prosperity.
I want so badly to feel my old energy back and zest for life, which I do feel…..in bursts – and then I am tired. Sometimes its easy to focus on the aches, pains and negative emotions surrounding our daily life experiences. None of us are immune to getting down every once in a while.
Patience and Acceptance. Yes…..I know. I am in “transition” too, and I have to find that balance with my body, spirit and mind. I have to keep being grateful and accept each phase of the journey regardless of what my “time table” may be. The Universe has it’s own rhythm and I need to flow with it.
I wanted to share with you one of the things that I do to bring myself to a better place in times of pain or uncomfortable change/transition.
I hope it will inspire you – to be grateful and accept whatever is happening in your life and whatever transition you are experiencing at this moment.
Whenever I start to feel down and impatient with myself, I sit down and make a gratitude list. I write down all of the things that I am thankful for. I know, deep in my heart, that having an attitude of gratefulness helps bring more abundance into my life. It truly works!
So I invite you……sit down and make a list, a list of big things and little things. Let it flow. A stream of consciousness and gratefulness. Whatever that looks like in your life. For me, I’m grateful for my family, my friends, my career and my improving health but I also like to list the small things too, like being grateful for a great cup of coffee, a great meeting, an amazing yoga class, a hug from a friend or a beautiful sunny day watching our kids play soccer.
The gratitude list helps you appreciate all of the good in your life….and it also helps you make sense of the times that aren’t so good and why they are part of the journey.
The Autumnal Equinox marks the beginning of shorter days. Without darkness, there is no light. Without night, there can be no day. Despite our desire to run away the darkness in our life, we need to accept that it is part of the journey, part of what makes us appreciate the light and all of its shining glory.