Awakening the Spirit

As the seasons take a turn, our bodies change with it. The days are shorter, cooler and darker. Our spirit can feel the change and easily get caught in the spiral turn and withdraw. The four seasons definitely play a part on us mentally and physically. We can look to the cycle of the changing seasons to create meaning within our own lives. In each season, there is a prevalent mood that can inspire reflection. Autumn ushers in crisp, chilly mornings and evenings. There is a shortening of days and a lengthening of shadows. Winter creates a bare landscapes soaked in bright,crisp light. Spring is a time of regrowth and new possibilities, wonderful color and life emerging. The Summer is a time of long days during which the rich fullness of those possibilities can fully blossom. So as Spring awakens the spirit with new growth and life, increased sunshine and energy; the Autumn creeps up on us. As the Sun is withdrawing each day it can take our energy with it. While the seasonal change is telling us we might need to hibernate a bit more, snuggle into the warm blanket by the fire we also need to re-awaken the spirit!

"It is a new season a perfect opportunity to do something new, something bold, something beautiful"- unknown

Humans are not bears, we do not hibernate and sleep the Winter months away. Find your passions and use them as a tool to keep your soul alive and active. Each season we can change the decor in our homes, step up the daily menus and foods to meet the weather outside. Cooler darker while it can be nice to snuggle up with a good book and cup of of hot tea, don't spend all your days hiding away from fresh air and the outdoors. Embrace the change of seasons. The air is crisp and clean, the colors illuminate the daylight you can still get out and explore. Fall can be a better time to view wildlife. Bears are on the move to find a last satisfying meal, squirrels are busy throwing pinecones from treetops to gather food to store for months ahead. Some birds will leave the area while others have come back for Winter months. The Osprey flock South, while the Eagles southern move might be in your neck of the woods. The herd animals are on the move as eatable foliage changes.

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the Fall", F. Scott Fitzgerald

Autumn is the perfect time to grab a crisp morning hike. Be sure to bring an extra layer, hat and gloves, but I pack those all year long. Fall hikes you don't have to shed the layer off or work up a sweat, it is actually more enjoyable! The skies are a clearer blue, the clouds add depth and a different beauty and the smells are different. After accomplishing hike # 46 for the year, my spirit was awakened. Realizing the last time to this familiar trail it was icy, foggy and windy. Today the air was still, the sun was shining, the morning started with a crisp 37 degrees. Autumn morning lead to a perfect view for miles and no people.

"Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go". So let go and get out and go!