Starting Something New

It’s hard to believe that autumn has arrived, but the usual signs are here. The garden is done, and the trees have changed colors, first in the mountains and now even where I live at a lower altitude.

The last of the basil, cut before a hard freeze.

Our first freeze has come and gone, and I’m looking forward to our first snow, typically before or on Halloween. For me, fall is a time to institute new plans, set new goals, and start new endeavors. Winter is usually introspective: sowing seeds for the future and expanding my perspective. I always like a book that gives me food for thought, and winter is a good time for reading. The cats enjoy the lap, and I’ll exchange my iced tea for hot. Soon.

This fall, I started a meditation circle with three other people, which quickly grew to five, plus me. They are where I was about 20 years ago before I began meditating. Through meditation, I let go of much of what I was not and have been able to find what I am. I thought I could share my many years of meditation practices with them – easy peasy! But no. I had a teacher and a community of like-minded individuals helping me. But my teacher passed away, and I feel a bit adrift and inadequate for the job.

So, enter the books. My hefty TBR pile grew bigger as I’ve collected some books on meditation to help me help them. I remember what I was like back then, checking out, not wanting to feel my body because it always hurt. But that isn’t the way to find peace of mind; I had to become resident in my body first. That took some time and determination to move from absent to present in my body; I just have to remember how the trip went. I hope these books will help me guide them back to this basic state. And of course, I’m learning new things for myself too – a win/win.

I am looking forward to our first big snow to announce winter’s arrival. During the summer, the sun pushes us to go-go-go! But a lot of my go has gone, and I need something a little less busy. During the winter, I give myself permission to read, meditate even more, stay home (not a problem during the pandemic – LOL), and go within. The new concepts and ideas that I read about this winter will percolate all spring and summer until I’m ready to start something new in the fall.