Grateful for Seasons

As the leaves fall off the trees and autumn colors are in full swing with its yellows, oranges and reds, I find myself grateful to be able to relish in its splendor. I am fortunate to live in a place where we experience four very distinct seasons of winter, spring summer and fall, which is a fabulous reminder of our own cycle of life. The bounty of our summer’s harvest  has been collected. The chill is in the air.

Yes, autumn is a period of time when plant life recedes into a restful state as winter approaches. The peaceful, cold winters brings with it many wonderful holidays, but it also bring us to an end and to a  close of another year. Life on earth will one day come to an end for each of us; however, this is not a time for sorrow. Indeed, it is a time for celebration, as the spring approaches with rebirth and renewal. The spirit in each of us lives on.

Spring brings new life, a period of growth and development, as each of us experience many times over in each stage of our lives. The warmer air brings hope and anticipation as we approach summer, when flowers become fruit. As we reflect on our lives, do we count years or do we think about seasons, such as that was the summer you graduated from high school or that was the spring you learned to drive.

I was blessed with a baby sister the winter of 1974. It was in the mid-summer of 2007, when I exchanged vows with the love of my life. I will never forget the fall of 2008, when we adopted our beautiful puppy dog. What do the seasons say to you? What wonderful memories do they stir? How will you spend your next winter, spring, summer and fall?

Related articles

• A richly colored Autumn (uglyyellow.blogspot.com)
• Adding Color to Autumn (countryliving4beginners.wordpress.com)
• If You Haven’t Already, Plant Those Wild Flower Seeds For A Beautiful Spring Look (scarboroughfairflorals.wordpress.com)
• Are Your Kiddo’s Asking Why the Fall Leaves Change Color?? Mine is~ and this is what we came up with! (scarboroughfairflorals.wordpress.com)
• We Break for Fall: How Will You Add Color? (caregiving.com)

Brisk Air…Clear Thoughts

I really enjoy walking outdoors, especially on a crisp and refreshing autumn morning, like today. The brisk air cleared my mind and allowed new and creative ideas and thoughts to percolate and form. I am excited about everything I am going to accomplish today, but mostly, I am seizing this moment and fully experiencing it.

 

My heart and spirit is filled with love, gratitude and wonder with limitless possibilities. My imagination is in full throttle and I am energized. I am certain that taking that walk this morning has everything to do with it. Almost an hour I spent (really gained) walking with my father, my husband, and my fur-baby Sasha.

We walked through the woods to a neighboring pier. The tide was high. A strong breeze was blowing the marsh grasses and creating deep ripples and a bit of breaks in the brackish waters of the cove.

I could have stayed all day on the pier as it was wonderfully tranquil. Bliss has filled my inner spirit and is carrying me through this gorgeous day. All these glorious emotions and energy came from deciding to enjoy the outdoors this morning…a deliberate choice to exercise and walk in nature and with my family. I am rejuvenated and recharged. I hope you, too, can capture a moment for yourself today to take a walk outdoors.

Last Day of September….Autumn Days and Thoughts.

I cannot believe we are already in October, a great month for Harvest and Halloween Events. School-aged children are in the swing of their studies. Football is on a roll. The temperatures are dropping and the leaves are changing colors and falling.

The hottest topics…political campaigning and bullying. Funny how both are in the same arena. For once, I would love to see our candidates take the high road and be role models, especially for our children. The political ad campaigns I have seen are more often than not, mean-spirited. May the best man win through accomplishments, not because one candidate had better smears than the other.

On the flip side, what started out as a bullying prank in West Branch, Michigan to a wonderful teenage girl named Whitney Kropp has turned out to be a positive and memorable time for her. You can read the full feature here: Town Turns Tables on School Prank. I will keep you posted as I learn more.

I feel by talking about things such as bullying and smear campaigns, we can spread awareness. Through awareness comes brainstorming solutions and later positive action steps, like in Michigan. Let us each do what we can to promote a more positive and loving world by being more positive and kind in our own communities. What will you do in October?

Related articles

• Bullying ‘prank’ by sophomore’s classmates draws community outrage to support Whitney Kropp (fairnessworks.com)
• Michigan town tries to correct apparent bullying prank (foxnews.com)
• Bullied Michigan teen shines as homecoming princess (fox6now.com)
• I was unpopular before it was cool. (joshmosey.wordpress.com)
• Community Cheers Homecoming Prank Victim (foxnews.com)
• Whitney Kropp: A tale of rising above bullying. (saintleoinkblot.com)
• Whitney Kropp shines at West Branch homecoming, tells others targeted by bullies ‘to be brave’ (mlive.com)
• Learning lessons from autumn (livingyogawithstella.com)
• Teen Suicide Cluster in Pennsylvania (ronskemp.wordpress.com)
• Dustin VanLaningham, 17, Gone Too Soon (ronskemp.wordpress.com)