At a recent family birthday party for my 2 year old nephew, I saw him wobbling through the rocks and found myself saying, “Don't Fall”…! As a parent, we want to avoid falls, but inevitably we fall…even as adults. Some “falls” can be managed: have you ever found yourself in a slow motion trip thinking “Catch yourself”!? Life is a crazy ride these days and, with everything happening in our world, it can feel overwhelming.
Fall can be my favorite season of the year. I am not really a “heat” person. I love the cool mornings and warm days and the colors changing. I like football games and the holidays on the horizon, but, like anyone with depression and anxiety, Fall can be tough. It takes effort to “catch myself” and enjoy the season like (most) people do! Don’t get caught with your hands in your pockets!
Here is something I have been doing in the mornings, based on a talk I watched online. It has really helped me focus on what is important and get my day off to a good start. It’s easy and takes very little time out of my day. I grabbed one of my half empty “journal” books and starting writing.
10 minutes: read my bible and pray, write down 3 things I am grateful for, and 3 things I want to accomplish for that day. Listen, when you get to my age, these are not always ground-breaking, multi-million dollar ideas. They can be simple: make the call to a friend, write a card, change the sheets. That’s it. It is a start!
Of course, it is always good to get outside. Vitamin D is critical, and medical journals say that 42% of people in the US are deficient. I try to get back to the gym in the winter, but not on nice days. It is much better for me to be outside.
According to the “One Minute Manager”, “Goals begin behaviors, and consequences influence future behaviors”. Set a goal. Don’t panic, just set something do-able at first and see how the results change your outlook. Flatirons Church (Boulder) is doing a 35 day challenge and one of the things you are doing each day is helping others. Last Monday I was in the grocery, and within a 30 minute time frame, I helped 3 different people. It was crazy. Part of that was just being AWARE! Look around you…there is so much you can do. It’s easy, and makes your day brighter ! Granted, I’m tall, so helping a shorty with cans on the top shelf is not a stretch. (Ok…cheesy joke)… My do-able goal: when I see someone who needs help, do something!
Back to Fall…2 words that strike fear: TIME CHANGE. The days get shorter and the dark settles in early. I mean, some days we look at each other and think, “Is it bedtime yet?”… We get into a bad habit of TV watching and I am shooting for more reading at night and less TV. Flip on the music (I need music without lyrics when I read). CTD likes, “Beats for Studying” radio on Pandora for work and I like, “Piano Radio” station for reading. Also, may be a good time to hit the gym in the early evenings before dinner.
Don’t find yourself reaching for spring and summer every year. This is life. Life is good. We are blessed!
AUTUMN FIRES: Robert Louis Stevenson
In the other gardens and all up in the vale,
From the autumn bonfires see the smoke trail!
Pleasant summer over, and all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes, the grey smoke towers.
SING a song of seasons! Something bright in ALL!
Flowers in the summer, fires in the fall!
CoffeeTalkMom
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