September Equinox 2014
Day 2: Transitioning Through Life’s Seasons
The equinox is a transition from one season to the next — from summer to autumn here in the northern hemisphere, and from winter to spring in the southern. While life’s seasons don’t have a distinct equinox or solstice, we experience the transitional phases that come with those “seasons.” Think of any transitions you’re currently going through or recently went through. How have you managed the changes from one “season” to the next? How can you help yourself ease into the next season?
My family is personally transitioning out of an incredibly stormy season. In keeping with those figures of speech, we’ve got flood and wind damage to clean up still in the wake of that storm. Literally speaking, we’re drowning in debt accumulated in the hopes that our situation would end sooner rather than later. Each member of our family has suffered our own mental and emotional trauma. It’s taken its toll on my health as well as my husband’s.
Managing the changes has been tenuous. We’ve all been trying to find our balance. Luckily, I see the kids bouncing back with such resiliency, and I’m both proud and relieved. It’s a shame we outgrow that adaptability as we age. So really, I think it’s definitely time to strategize better ways to ease into this next season of life. I have to stop operating under the pretense that I have to do everything right now — everything must get done as soon as possible or else! That’s a bad way to function. I need to slow down to give my body some time to rest. I need to let my mind rest, too. I need to listen to my body’s needs to sleep and drink plenty of water. I have to give myself time to sit and clear my mind, even if I don’t get to write out my thoughts the way I used to. I need to forgive myself for not doing everything “perfectly.” Perfect doesn’t exist. No more extensive to-do lists. No more rushing. Autumn’s here, meaning everything’s going to be slower down. What better time than now to slow down myself.
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