I love the change of seasons, especially when fall starts giving us those first chilly mornings. After months of being outside, making plans, and staying busy, I'm usually ready to slow things down. I notice it when I take the dogs out and can't wait to get back inside where it's warm. Spring and summer have always been my more active seasons, and I enjoy everything that comes with them. But I don't necessarily want to keep that same pace all year. When I look around at what's happening in nature, I see plenty of examples of why it's okay to do things differently as the seasons change.
This fall, I've decided that I'm not signing up for anything new. I started taking clogging lessons over the summer, and I'm enjoying those, so I'll keep going. But when a beekeeping course caught my attention, I had to remind myself that I don't need to explore every interest right now. I've also decided to take a break from having guests for a little while. I've had some wonderful visitors over the spring and summer, but I don't need to keep filling up my calendar. That's not always easy for me because I love learning new things and having new experiences. But I'm realizing there's a lot to enjoy about what I'm already doing, and I don't want to be so busy that I miss that.
On today's Wise Walk, we're taking some lessons from nature as we move through fall and get ready for winter. I've been thinking about trees and how they pull nutrients back into their trunks before dropping their leaves. I love the idea that we can do something similar with the experiences we've had. We can hold on to what was good about them without continuing to give them so much of our time and energy. And when winter comes, maybe we can learn something from bears that hibernate or seeds that need a cold season before they sprout. Even bees have their own way of getting through winter by gathering together. So I'm curious, what are you ready to release this fall? And when you think about resting this winter, what would that actually look like for you? Maybe it's spending more time alone, or maybe it's being with the people who make you feel good. I know I'm looking forward to having a little less on my calendar and seeing how that feels.
I would love to hear what you took away from today's episode, and learn about your examples of what you're doing during this fall and this winter.
I'm super excited for all of us, and I look forward to continuing our Wise Walks each and every week. Be sure to tune in to next Thursday for another episode, and be sure to prioritize fun as you read the signs, direct your path and get your Stride On.
In this episode:
Memorable Quotes:
"Rest is not about a break from growth. We're not giving up on growing. We too need rest so we can emerge and bloom again." - Mary Tess
"We can appreciate all the goodness we've gained from our experiences and hold on to it as we slow down and prepare to rest. " - Mary Tess
"We don't have to get drawn into the hustle and bustle of the holidays. We can release that need and give ourselves permission to rest." - Mary Tess
"As the seasons change, I hope you really honor how to take care of yourself and recognize what you need to feel nourished and supported." - Mary Tess
Links and Resources:
