Summer Farewell
Change – Rituals and Routines = Stress
I know that “Rituals” and “Routines” provide solace and emotional scaffolding during times of stress and change. I tell parents regularly how important it is to be steady, stable and consistent. I know it gives children comfort. I need to practice what I preach. November is clearly a month of change. I might add October was no slouch. I too need comfort, consistency and safe haven.
I have spent this spring and summer running past gardens, through tree-lined paths and along country roads. I remember catching sight of the first daffodils and cheered as leaves exploded on trees around the pond. I admired tomatoes, pumpkins, beans and squash in our neighbor’s yard that had an electric fence surrounding their produce to keep marauding rabbits out. No wonder rabbits feasted on our blooms. We are electric fence free. I met a five-year-old waiting for a bus with her father who was quite excited about her lost tooth, a newly found maggot and a bunny she spotted in the bushes.
Sometime in April or May I wrote an article entitled, “Don’t Let This Summer Slip By!” I didn’t. I was mindful about warm days, amazing sunsets and enjoyed fresh produce from the Farmer’s Market. I purposely lingered when we were on family vacation, trying to stash all the memories in a special place to be recalled during the below zero chills of January. I remember being so grateful so many times this past summer when my family all sat at the dining room table for Sunday dinner. I took mental snapshots holding the moments as sacred.
I have no intention of letting this fall slip by. The leaves gently seem to wave farewell as they carpet our grass with bright yellows and reds. I even heard some say, “Thanks for the memories!”
Advice shared by Pilar Gerasimo is, “ In times of high anxiety and frustration, before desperately grasping for solutions not yet within your reach, focus on fully applying the solutions you already have at your disposal.” I intend to use my head, hands and feet. The leaves are raked. The gutters are cleared. I have spent time emptying my terra cotta pots and stored them in the garage. I am as careful with my pots as I am with holiday ornaments, I might add. I have found my running tights, hats, and gloves. I even found the light I wear strapped to my head for protection in the too dark early morning runs. I guess I am ready. I will recall the memories carefully stashed in my memory bank. I will keep my routines and my rituals that help me stay connected to my inner compass. I think the change and stress that is disturbing is the speed with which my life seems to be whirling by. The calendar pages are quickly turning. I know taking time to enjoy each day is encouraged. “Stay in the moment” highly respected experts say. I am a slow runner. I think my routine of running everyday is hoping to slow the pace – hoping to take a moment to savor the lovely time I have in such a high speed – fast tracked seasonal switch that we call life in Minnesota.
I know that “Rituals” and “Routines” provide solace and emotional scaffolding during times of stress and change. I tell parents regularly how important it is to be steady, stable and consistent. I know it gives children comfort. I need to practice what I preach. November is clearly a month of change. I might add October was no slouch. I too need comfort, consistency and safe haven.
I have spent this spring and summer running past gardens, through tree-lined paths and along country roads. I remember catching sight of the first daffodils and cheered as leaves exploded on trees around the pond. I admired tomatoes, pumpkins, beans and squash in our neighbor’s yard that had an electric fence surrounding their produce to keep marauding rabbits out. No wonder rabbits feasted on our blooms. We are electric fence free. I met a five-year-old waiting for a bus with her father who was quite excited about her lost tooth, a newly found maggot and a bunny she spotted in the bushes.
Sometime in April or May I wrote an article entitled, “Don’t Let This Summer Slip By!” I didn’t. I was mindful about warm days, amazing sunsets and enjoyed fresh produce from the Farmer’s Market. I purposely lingered when we were on family vacation, trying to stash all the memories in a special place to be recalled during the below zero chills of January. I remember being so grateful so many times this past summer when my family all sat at the dining room table for Sunday dinner. I took mental snapshots holding the moments as sacred.
I have no intention of letting this fall slip by. The leaves gently seem to wave farewell as they carpet our grass with bright yellows and reds. I even heard some say, “Thanks for the memories!”
Advice shared by Pilar Gerasimo is, “ In times of high anxiety and frustration, before desperately grasping for solutions not yet within your reach, focus on fully applying the solutions you already have at your disposal.” I intend to use my head, hands and feet. The leaves are raked. The gutters are cleared. I have spent time emptying my terra cotta pots and stored them in the garage. I am as careful with my pots as I am with holiday ornaments, I might add. I have found my running tights, hats, and gloves. I even found the light I wear strapped to my head for protection in the too dark early morning runs. I guess I am ready. I will recall the memories carefully stashed in my memory bank. I will keep my routines and my rituals that help me stay connected to my inner compass. I think the change and stress that is disturbing is the speed with which my life seems to be whirling by. The calendar pages are quickly turning. I know taking time to enjoy each day is encouraged. “Stay in the moment” highly respected experts say. I am a slow runner. I think my routine of running everyday is hoping to slow the pace – hoping to take a moment to savor the lovely time I have in such a high speed – fast tracked seasonal switch that we call life in Minnesota.
posted by Ada at
8:35 AM
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