slow sunshine

The power of slowing down will never cease to leave me feeling balanced and tranquil.

I am someone who needs my alone time, and I am pleasantly refreshed every time I allow myself the time and space to sit and think and write and read and reflect. This is not new knowledge for me by any means, but once again I find myself in a state of sleepy euphoria after strolling the neighbourhood and spending a couple hours at a sunny coffee shop near my apartment.

The leaves are changing and falling, and the mountains are smiling, and today encapsulates autumn in it’s fullness. I feel thankful today, because I am moving at a slow pace that is allowing my mind to keep up with my body, and these days don’t present themselves overly often. Usually, I am rushing from one thing to the next, one step ahead, scrawling down lists or planning for the rest of the week. But today, my head and my heart and my being as a whole are aligning quite nicely. I am thankful for that. A day like today is a gift.

I am also thankful for the reminder that I don’t need to strive to control everything. As I’ve written before, and I’m sure I will write again, there is very little control in life. This is difficult to accept, since we are wired as humans to achieve and succeed and feel like we have a grasp on the many outcomes of our daily routines. But today I am thankful for the reminder that what’s meant to unfold will, and all I need to do is strive to be patient with myself.

Patience is a difficult thing. It’s something that shows up all the time, and in many different forms. And as I reflect today, I feel peacefulness wash over me as I release my worries and clouded thoughts. I want to extend this gentle reminder to you too:

Be patient with yourself.

Whatever you are doing, allow yourself the gift of time. The healing nature of being present, and the unending grace that takes form in the beginning of each new day. Be patient as you adjust, as you transition, as you settle into a changing season. You are deserving of so much more than the made up expectations.

Today marks the beginning of a new month, and I am thankful for October. I am thankful for smiling patio dwellers and homemade granola, and the unending opportunity to adjust my outlook.

Here’s to a fresh month.

-A