Day 113/366 days Towards Self-Mastery. Mood: excited for this beautiful day 22/04/2020 That's a number sequence 444. I'm made about 4s.
Autumn is such a stunning time of year in my world. Here in SE Queensland there are very few trees that turn their leaves to brown and fall to the ground, unlike in the cooler climates where the trees turn through shades of yellow, reds and browns. In my garden it is the stone fruits that drop their leaves, a lovely symbol of the autumns in the North of the South Island of NZ that I have loved dearly.
At this time of year, my son and I would take a road trip to our favourite beach spot, Kaiteriteri, to enjoy the very last of the Autumn sunshine before the mountains became drenched in deep white snow, and Wellington plunged into a blisteringly cold winter.
It's not such a distinct change here in coastal and hinterland Queensland, though enough to enjoy and reminisce.
The cool nights invite that extra duvet, the cat cuddles up at my feet for the warmth of my body. The mornings are crisp and clear.
Autumn in a perfect time to consider resolutions that feed the soul
Unlike New Year's resolutions that Sarah suggests are born out of the weariness of the year gone, Autumn resolutions are a restorative practice. The turning over of a new leaf.
What will your Autumnal resolutions be? Connecting with a special friend more often? Exercising your body more gently? Feeding your soul with poetry or philosophy?
In spite of the fact that we live in forced isolation, I am in seventh heaven right now. The bird calls have changed tune, the sun is deliciously warm as it floods my bedroom each morning.
This week's inspirations have prompted me to find all the hidden botanicals that are hiding in the shelves of my bathroom cabinet so that I can use them daily as I bathe in a deep tub of hot water each evening. This will be a regular ritual now that the weather is cooler. My body loves the warmth of scented water.
My afternoon walks are more enjoyable as I stroll along the boardwalks by the running creeks to the sound of water trickling around rocks and ferns, with the occasional platypus flipping between breaths and diving to forage for food, meeting new and old friends.
My online social time will be discerned with more clarity for what is nourishing for me.
My garden will be tendered lovingly as it rests and regenerates deeply under the cooling frosts of the winter to come.
How will you honour this delightful Autumn in which we have been given so much time for reflection?
366 days Towards Self-Mastery
When I considered my New Year's intentions for 2020 I had just one: To allow my heart to love what it loved...and let it lead me. (If not now, then when?)
I've spent months working on integrating my life. To live life more fully with my home life, my interests, my work, my responsibilities, all coming together, all connected. I want to give each the attention that they desire and need, and still have time and energy for the others. That means living and working from the heart.
As I was clearing out my bookshelf over the Christmas break I discovered Simple Abundance. I set it aside to explore it on New Year's Day as I lazed through another delicious day of nothingness. Sarah, the author, says this book is about living in grace. Living in grace I realised, is about Self-Mastery.
My thirst for understanding the human condition has driven me all my life, and hand-in-hand with self-mastery it has been a life-long goal. And seeing as I love to write, that living in grace is about self-mastery, and I love a bit of a challenge, then if I am truly going to let my heart lead, I really don't have any other choice. So scary as it feels, I'm starting out on a daily mission of leaning into the suggestions of this daybook and making a daily post to keep me accountable. If not now, then when?
I'm Josie. You can find out a little more about me here.
Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy: by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
This book is written for the Australian and NZ market because it refers to seasonal changes. It's available on Amazon here if you'd like to follow along.