Embrace the New Season
A new season is upon us. Depending on where you live, you may be sensing the changing weather, and feeling a coolness to the mornings and evenings. Starbucks has already declared that it’s time for Pumpkin Spice Latte. And it may feel like a time of transition with the close of summer and start of fall, where our days are a bit shorter and darker.
The turn of the season is a wonderful invitation to reflect on the cyclical and constantly evolving nature of our lives. Beginnings and endings are always happening, within us and all around us. Our practice teaches us to understand our unchanging wholeness as being, even as transformations swirl around and through us. And we can enjoy and experience both and mark the turning of the seasons with intention and ritual. You may have your own ways of honoring the onset of fall, and here are just a few more ideas you might want to explore:
- Spend time in nature. This can be powerful, especially if you spent the summer hunkered down in an air-conditioned space to avoid the extreme heat. And it may continue to be a bit on the warm side where you are. Still, find some time to plant your feet on the earth and look around. Notice the subtle changes—the position of the sun at a certain hour, the changing foliage and colors. This can help you feel connected to something greater than yourself and appreciate the rhythms of the natural world. Of course, being outdoors has been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety.
Eat the season. Find fresh foods that are at their harvest peak in the fall. A local farmers’ market is a great place for this. Even at the grocery, in-season produce will be available. Notice how the selection changes and what items are popping up in the fall. It is a great season to try out some new soup recipes. Apples and pears are the fruit stars of autumn, and there are so many varieties to try. Broccoli, brussel sprouts, pumpkin, and other squashes also emerge as the temperatures begin to drop. Find some new recipes to explore. I’m loving the Forks Over Knives website for great ideas here.- Cleanse and clear. At this time of year, our energy is drawn from the outer to the inner world. This is a great time to clean, clear and refresh the energy around you in your home. Is there some clutter that has built up that you can get rid of to clear some stagnant energy? Once you release some clutter, you may want to do some cleaning. This may sound mundane, however, with intention, cleaning your house can become a sacred act. You may want to clear the energy of your home using a smudge stick and simple smudging ritual. Consider what needs a refresh, address it in a way that feels right to you, and enjoy the feeling of lightness that may come.
- Seasonalize your mindful practices. We are moving into a time of shorter, cooler days. The pace of our lives may also change at this time. As you practice, notice if your body and mind are shifting as well. You may choose a slower practice to balance the busy days leading up to the holiday season. Or, now that it is cooler, you may be drawn to a more warming practice. You might enjoy getting up in the dark for your meditation, or that may put your right back to sleep. Tune in and feel into the practices that support you at this time. It may be time to try a new class or new approach.
I wish you all a lovely transition to the fall. May you embrace all of the changes in your life with intention, awareness, and the flexibility to flow with the seasons and rhythms of nature.
Be Well. ~Lisa
