Autumn’s Invitation: Embrace Change with Mindfulness
“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” – Unknown
Hello, lovely community,
Can you believe it? October is already here! Autumn is officially in the air, and with it comes that magical shift of seasons. It’s such a beautiful time – the crisp mornings, the changing leaves (Mother Nature is amazing), and, of course, sweater weather. Then there’s hockey season starting and going for walks or hikes where the temperature’s more bearable. Or maybe you’re just excited for pumpkin-spiced everything! What is it for you that makes the Autumn unique? As we welcome this new season, it’s also a wonderful opportunity for us to pause, breathe, and reflect. See if you can bring your “Beginner’s Mind” into this season, which means seeing things as if you’re seeing them for the first time, with ‘fresh eyes’. Our nervous systems would love that as it helps us step out of autopilot more of the time.
Autumn has a way of reminding us how beautiful it can be to let things go. Just as the trees release their leaves, we too can practice letting go of what no longer serves us. And that process doesn’t have to be heavy or complicated. It can start with something as simple as a deep breath. (No raking required!)
So, let’s take a moment together for a quick mindfulness exercise. Wherever you are, go ahead and close your eyes, or soften your gaze. Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose, sensing the coolness of the air coming in on the in-breath, feeling your lungs expand, and then gently exhale through your mouth, letting go / softening of any tension that is here. Imagine the bracing, contraction and stress melting away like leaves letting go and drifting to the ground. Feel free to take a couple more conscious breaths like this – in…and out… Let yourself pay attention and savour the stillness, even if it’s just for these few moments.
How do you feel, emotions-wise and body sensations-wise? Just be curious, non-judgmental and accepting of whatever is here. Giving yourself these small pauses can help ground you and bring you back to the present, especially as life speeds up with the changing seasons.
As we continue into autumn, I invite you to slow down and take in all the little joys this time of year brings – the smell of fallen leaves, the warmth of a cozy drink, the comfort of a crisp evening, possibly going to bed a little earlier. Sometimes, all it takes is a mindful breath to savour the beauty around us (and maybe an extra tea or Fall treat). Not only does that allow pleasant emotions to arise and stress to come down a little bit, but it also gives our mind a place to “rest”, a refuge from it’s tendency to be stuck ruminating about the past or the future.
Wishing you a peaceful start to the season.
Hello, lovely community,
Can you believe it? October is already here! Autumn is officially in the air, and with it comes that magical shift of seasons. It’s such a beautiful time – the crisp mornings, the changing leaves (Mother Nature is amazing), and, of course, sweater weather. Then there’s hockey season starting and going for walks or hikes where the temperature’s more bearable. Or maybe you’re just excited for pumpkin-spiced everything! What is it for you that makes the Autumn unique? As we welcome this new season, it’s also a wonderful opportunity for us to pause, breathe, and reflect. See if you can bring your “Beginner’s Mind” into this season, which means seeing things as if you’re seeing them for the first time, with ‘fresh eyes’. Our nervous systems would love that as it helps us step out of autopilot more of the time.
Autumn has a way of reminding us how beautiful it can be to let things go. Just as the trees release their leaves, we too can practice letting go of what no longer serves us. And that process doesn’t have to be heavy or complicated. It can start with something as simple as a deep breath. (No raking required!)
So, let’s take a moment together for a quick mindfulness exercise. Wherever you are, go ahead and close your eyes, or soften your gaze. Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose, sensing the coolness of the air coming in on the in-breath, feeling your lungs expand, and then gently exhale through your mouth, letting go / softening of any tension that is here. Imagine the bracing, contraction and stress melting away like leaves letting go and drifting to the ground. Feel free to take a couple more conscious breaths like this – in…and out… Let yourself pay attention and savour the stillness, even if it’s just for these few moments.
How do you feel, emotions-wise and body sensations-wise? Just be curious, non-judgmental and accepting of whatever is here. Giving yourself these small pauses can help ground you and bring you back to the present, especially as life speeds up with the changing seasons.
As we continue into autumn, I invite you to slow down and take in all the little joys this time of year brings – the smell of fallen leaves, the warmth of a cozy drink, the comfort of a crisp evening, possibly going to bed a little earlier. Sometimes, all it takes is a mindful breath to savour the beauty around us (and maybe an extra tea or Fall treat). Not only does that allow pleasant emotions to arise and stress to come down a little bit, but it also gives our mind a place to “rest”, a refuge from it’s tendency to be stuck ruminating about the past or the future.
Wishing you a peaceful start to the season.