I know, I know.....I'm early. For goodness sake, we have plenty of summer left.....there's still Wing Fest this weekend, outdoor picnics to attend, evening walks to sweat through.....
I was chatting with co-worker Krystina yesterday, and we couldn't help but scroll through our fall-time faves......hot apple cider, oversized sweaters, pumpkins on porches, school buses and kids with backpacks, crunching leaves underfoot....... runny noses too, but let's stay positive.
I love fall. I lurrrrve it!!! It's less sweaty, more cuddly, and just plain smells good.
But all this day dreaming about the change of season has me thinking.
What in the world happened to summer of 2010?? For reals. Where did it go?
And has any one else noticed that as you get older, time seems to go more quickly......??
So my mind moves from the excitement of fall to the lament of a lost summer in t-minus 3...2....1....
Let's face it-- life has gotten, well, fast for many of us- we get caught up in the rush of work, family, housekeeping, schedule juggling......
For others of us, it's an opposite struggle-- we can feel left out of the rush, watching friends, neighbors and family members rushing about, too busy to remember that we need them- we need to connect. We're here.
Looking back at summer, I know it was full of activity- my kids keep me running from one thing to the next, and once you throw in work, and a home to care for, I can forget stopping to think much less finding time to have a lazy afternoon with my grandfather--- who I know would love my visit. (insert lump in my throat here.)
So, you thought this post was about autumn- did you? :) Well, we have time for that, friends.....if we make time. I want to smell autumn, feel it in the air, and most of all I want to share it with those I love. And for me that means slowing down a bit. For some of you it means reaching out to those you care about who might be moving too fast and reminding them that you want time with them....
I will not throw out wordy advice about your scheduling habits-- trust me, it's all I can do to work on my own. What I will say is that we can gain a lot by stepping back and making an assessment of what's working.....and what isn't.
For those of us who find life to feel somewhat like being swept up in rushing flood waters-- it may be time to remove some activities from our schedules.....
Maybe for others, it's more of an issue of not scheduling enough....time with friends, time to exercise, time to learn something new. It's just as frustrating to watch the flood waters rush past while you stand helplessly on the shore as it is to be caught up in them.....
It's a balance, and like most things in life, it's different for everyone-- but let's work on this one....
When you smell autumn creeping in....smell it. Think of your friends here-- and of this post, and make the changes you want for your best fall season.
(and gosh darn it- have a little hot cider!!) (sniffle.)
-Jen Zeitler
Compeer Staff and Volunteer
4 comments:
Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year. Hoodies, football, crunching leaves and you said it hot apple cider! It's the feeling of fall that just does something to you. A calming feeling. It's wonderful.
Wow Fur Fur! You hit the nail on the head and spoke right to my heart. I am caught up in so many rushing waves in this life but I have seen recently that when I take a deep breath, play alone with Brennan, quietly read a book before bed instead of pass out in front of the TV or join an inpromt mommy night...I feel alive. I see clearer. I am rejuvenated by the simple events in life that make a difference. True friends and true family. Thank you for opening my eyes and holding my hand in friendship.
I have lived and visited in different places during different times of the year and recognized at an early age that I am a 4 season person. I have always and still love the summer. I am a sun worshiper. The winters were fun as a kid but becoming a driver and a home owner it became more personally time consuming being that snow removal was a must. It isn’t so bad if you’re an outside person. Or not walking around with a permanent back injury. But I see no need for wind chill. Spring has always been the answer to many many months of prayer for warm weather and the recession of my S.A.D. (Seasonal Affected disorder) that I self diagnosed myself way before I ever knew it existed. (Lol) But the fall has always been a favorite for a many reasons. Many are of some you mention Jen.
But now looking back it probably was how time was spent during this time changed. We played outside all day all night long during the summer. Now it started to get dark earlier so the street lights came on earlier…time to go in. We started school…wake up early and to bed earlier. Cooler mornings and evenings…meant new clothes. Fall sports started which meant family and friends came over more often or every Sunday for example. The fun holidays where coming. I guess the nagging feeling to have family around or to go to them is rooted into us or at least me because of the years growing up with all this happening year after year.
Summer is packing up on us an the fall is starting to move in…welcome.
S.A.D. ;P
Im so freakin excited for fall. Just got my girls long shirts and pants out again. EEEEK!
Think about it. When you;'re one year old, the year is 1:1. 2? 2:1 29? 2:1. Ratio is age to one year. Of course every year it seems faster and faster! So we gots to hold on to what we's got ;)
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