It's almost Autumn...

Autumn is when people prepare the garden for the quiet sleep of winter and the rebirth of spring. Late autumn has always been one of the favorite times of the year. It's lovely seeing trees ablaze with color, followed by the thick carpet of fallen leaves on the ground. Also, it's lovely to feel the cold and crisp air, along with the earthy smell that is so prevalent right now.

When I was younger, I remember watching movies of kids who were tired and complained of boredom around this time of year, their mum and dad would send them out to rake the back garden. Strangely enough, I loved this chore but almost never managed to finish the job. About the time I would manage to get a pile of leaves together, one of my dogs would show up and we would end up jumping into the leaves and flinging armfuls of them at each other until the garden was once again cluttered.

I have to confess that I haven't jumped into piles of leaves for a long time, but my enjoyment of late autumn has never dissipated. I look for as many opportunities to get out into the autumn environment as I can because it makes me feel alive and renewed.

I hope you are enjoying the nice autumn days, spending time outside when you can. If you have the time, go away for a day to the countryside or a local park for a nice long walk or hike. Even if you can't devote a lot of time, take advantage of the changing season by taking a brisk walk in your neighborhood or at a local park.

Even though the weather may be getting cooler and the days shorter, that doesn't mean you can't partake in the beauty of the season, just don't forget your coat and scarf. Have a nice weekend!

Take care of yourself

This week, I want to focus on the importance of taking care of ourselves. As our days become busier and more hectic, it can be difficult for us to take a needed and deserved break. I am sure that even an aware person like me, has experienced moments when you would have liked to have more time to yourself.

The truth is that even for those of us who are aware and clear on the importance of self-care, it is easy to get caught up in daily routines, events, special projects, and the like, to the point that you forget to take time out for yourself. As a result, you may find yourself feeling tired and out of sorts. However, I have a few suggestions for giving yourself time, slowing down your mind, enjoying your surroundings, and replenishing your energy.

My first suggestion is to walk where you need to go. If you walk to work or to the corner store instead of driving there, you get a chance to slow down your mind, enjoy the surroundings, and get some great exercise to boot! If you can afford it, consider joining a gym and making the commitment to go several times a week. Getting exercise is an excellent way to bring your mind and body back into alignment and boost your energy levels.

Another way to create self-time is to join a group or club that meets on a regular basis. It could be a gardening club, a choir, a photography class or scrap-booking group, or even a meditation or yoga group. The idea behind these suggestions is to have time that is separate from your work and daily activities.

Finally, I have other suggestions for making extra time. Leave work on time or arrive at appointments early, equipped with a favorite book so that you take advantage of the wait time for pleasure reading. Keep a book or magazine handy in your bag or briefcase for when you are unexpectedly stuck waiting for someone or something.

I'm sure, that you can come up with many more ways to take care of yourself than I shared here if you put your mind to it. I hope that you will find my suggestions useful and that you will take some time for yourself this week to have fun, relax, and rejuvenate. You deserve it!