Day 244/366 days Towards Self-Mastery.
A while ago, a long while ago, I lived in a cold climate where everyone hunkered down for the cold, grey, rainy months of winter. In that climate there was not a ray of sunshine for months on end. Having hailed from the sub-tropics, that took some getting used to.
As spring approached, the first leaf buds would begin to burst through the wood on the trees that lined the bus route to the city. These early signs promised that the cold would break and give way to the beginning of new life and colour to paint the way into spring and finally into the warmth of summer.
The rolled-over shoulders in dark long coats straightened, heads emerged and smiles graced the faces of my fellow travellers. Everyone would strain to the bus windows to glimpse that first sun ray as it pushed its way through the thick cloud.
Along the streets the flower vendors would appear with buckets of daffodils and tulips to brighten the city and create an enchanting walk to work.
As we enter the early days of spring I'm reminded of the importance of our senses to our ability to live life fully.
The first buds are appearing on my lime tree, my nectarine is breaking out in small pink jewels, the calendula are in full bloom, and the mandarin is showing the first sign of flower buds.
The birdsong has changed as multiple parents tend their newborn, or near-to-be born.
The taste of spring is clear at the farmers market as we gather the last of the winter veg, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and other brassicas and root vegetables, to give way to the fresh tastes of spring.
Spring showers are freshening the air and releasing the pungent aroma of basil that grows close by my front door.
Spending some time in the garden recently to prepare for spring vegetable planting, the texture of the damp earth full of bugs and worms and bacteria and fungi is sweet goodness.
It's a beautiful day to exercise our senses to hear the grass grow beneath our feet, to notice the messages from the trees, to drink in the blue sky, to smell the coming spring storms, and to let the warmth of children's laughter as they come to play in the street, touch our hearts.
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.
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