Autumn Blessings.

What is it about autumn that stirs my soul? Sometimes I feel like it is a new beginning. I feel this way in spring too. Do you feel this way too?

Is it the change in the weather? The opportunity to spruce up my house with something new to look at? For me, autumn brings with it a sense of…well, family. And conversations. And crisp air. My innermost self knows that the holidays are around the corner. One of my favorite times of the year.

It is a time of planning. The kids and I are all trying to coordinate our schedules so at least 2 family members can see each other at the same time. 

It is a time of meal planning….digging into all the comfort food recipes that have patiently been waiting since the year before. Mom's Pot Roast. Those Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies. Or, how about the best homemade Tomato Soup with Toasted Cheese Sandwiches.

It is a time of memories. As I empty the bins with the autumn and Halloween decorations… I find the Halloween place mats that my youngest kids used to use when they ate at the counter. And those scary monster masks my husband loves to wear. And the brown paper lunch bags, tied at the top with green string, and painted orange…to resemble a pumpkin that Matt and Nicole made when they were about 4. I also discover the needlepoint tree skirt that I made about 20 years ago…for my black Halloween tree – complete with orange lights and pumpkin decorations.

As I decorate the house...with all of those things…my mind spins the memory around and around in my head. So that, when I am finished with everything and the bins are put away… I am left with not only a house with autumn decorations – I am left with houseful of memories. All of those autumn blessings.

Autumn is also a time of blessings. 

It is a time to look back on the year and give thanks. Because no matter how tough your year has been – there is always something to be thankful for. And yes Covid has put a BIG crimp in most things this year….and some of you have had a really rough year because of it…  I am so so sorry for that. For me? Every time I wake up on this side of the green grass is cause for thanks….and an autumn blessing.

This time of year can sometimes invoke feelings of panic and stress and loneliness. Because the holidays are around the corner... and you don't have any money for gifts. Or maybe you are alone for the first time, in what seems like, forever.

And so all blessings become forgotten, not just the autumn blessings. They are overshadowed by everything else.  I get that. I know exactly how that feels. For me, every year at this time, I am usually scrambling to figure out what to make for Christmas presents…and trying to GET.IT.ALL.DONE. For a number of reasons…. that is not happening this year. I will need to be content in what I can do within the limited time available to me. Did you know that contentment is a learned emotion… that it does not come naturally? Crazy right?

I was wondering…

If I could encourage you to take a deep breath and exhale slowly. Take a look around and try to eliminate the stress. Stress will not only steal away your todays, stress will tarnish your tomorrows. 

If I could encourage you to NOT to try and get it all done. Make a list… cut it in half and then maybe in half again. And then tackle what is left in small bite size pieces.

If I could encourage you to steal moments of ‘being in the moment' time. Because time is so fleeting. And there are no guarantees of tomorrow. And those moments, unless deliberately created and taken, will never happen. Right?

Put the pencil down. Close down the computer and….

Go outside for a walk. Take in the fresh smell of autumn.
Grab your kids and paint pumpkins. 
Make some hot chocolate and drink it s.l.o.w.l.y… together.

Make some memories that you can unpack every year, so that when your kids are grown and out of the house, all of those memories come flooding back…and you realize how blessed you really are.

If your kids, like mine, are already living their own best lives…. create some new memories and traditions. These activities turn into feelings…and those feelings can be a part of your autumn blessings.

Let the Blessings of Autumn wash over you like a warm bath…

Sink in deep, close your eyes and just relax. Let autumn re-nourish your soul. (And if you need an amazing ‘Flower Bath‘ or ‘Sea Soak‘ I got ya covered)! Cause what is a bath without something foamy or amazing!

Wouldn't you like to live a joyful life?

Don't let let the circumstances of YOUR life determine who you really are? Choose YOU instead! Not sure how to do that? Let me help!

Now, sometimes, no matter how good your intentions might be, life can still get pretty overwhelming, right?

And sometimes, when you are overwhelmed, stress sets in.

And when stress sets in it is sometimes difficult to be happy or joyful. So, please don’t let stress have the last word! 

Go on and take a look at the ‘Top 5 Stress Reducers’ (Action Plan included). So that you can eliminate what causes you stress and get on the path of living a joyful life.

What is Joyful Living all about?

Joyful Living is ALL about not letting let the circumstances of YOUR life determine who you really are. You learn to choose YOU instead! Not sure how to do that? Let me help! 

To begin, go ahead and read:

What is Joyful Living?
5 Simple Steps to Choosing Joy
Finding Joy in All Things
What Does God Say About Joy?
Difference Between Happiness and Joy