what change is coming?

on wintering and pressing pause

the leaves have turned colors. the trees are preparing for winter, for pausing, savoring energy. they need rest.

there is no place where it is as obvious that life is turning and changing as in the forest. as i was running today in the brisk fall cold i was re-listening to the on being podcast with krista tippett. she was interviewing kathering may, the author of several books but most recently a book called wintering. she read from the book and for a moment my heart paused:

I recognized winter. I saw it coming (a mile off, since you ask), and I looked it in the eye. I greeted it and let it in. I had some tricks up my sleeve, you see. I've learned them the hard way. When I started feeling the drag of winter, I began to treat myself like a favored child: with kindness and love. I assumed my needs were reasonable and that my feelings were signals of something important. I kept myself well fed and made sure I was getting enough sleep. I took myself for walks in the fresh air and spent time doing things that soothed me. I asked myself: What is this winter all about? I asked myself: What change is coming?

i see winter coming with each foot treading and hitting the ground in the trail. leaves everywhere and nippy air. there’s nothing as a cold fall day to remind you of the beauty of life. with this interview in my ears i started wondering what change might be coming, not only to the season, but in my life.

we often run through life without pausing. so fast that we don’t recognize the faces of the people we meet or the leaves changing on the trees. do you remember the faces of the people you met and spoke to today? do you remember not only their faces but their expressions. were they happy? tired?

i am preparing for winter. i press pause and allow myself to take a few more moments to think about life, to think about my relationships and what i want my next phase in life will be.

when winter arrives and nature hibernates, everything seems dead. but life is hidden under the snow, beyond the ice.

while life slows down, my inner world will seek for new roots, stronger roots. everything that is not aligned with the roots will fall off. new hopes, new relations.

i hope you too press pause and treat yourself with kindness and love. just for a moment. i hope you press pause and see the magic in everyday life.

i hope you press pause.

there are so many great authors here on substack. somebody i’ve read more recently and enjoyed is

Amy Makechnie

. enjoy the read:).