Autumn, my favorite time of year is upon us. In years gone by, I made a habit of allowing sadness to take residence during these months. Joy was usually the full time occupant but, I found myself permitting loneliness to sublet. I did not understand the powerful effect of the changing season. The dying to old things to make room for the new. Funny how something you love can also conjure up memories of pain. Circumstances have not changed much but, I have.
I am fully committed to not only embracing each new year with pleasure but also the wisdom that comes with it. Aging does not necessarily make you any more hip to life's lessons. Unfortunately, I have met a few old foolish individuals. I am better than I was and I have hope in the promise of tomorrow.
What I know for sure is this:
1. Starbuck's introduces the most delicious drinks in mid September
2. Becoming comfortable in your skin while continuing to push towards your better self is most necessary. Like the unwillingness to forgive, we can sometimes choose to keep hate alive. We think if I love myself at this weight, or with this struggle it means I am saying "it's okay". Similarly, we may believe that extending an olive branch to someone we feel has betrayed us means that we are saying the offence was OK. This is not so. Forgiving removes blockages. It keeps the portals open for love to flow freely. This does not absolve the individual from taking responsibility for their actions. It does assist you with living your life free of unnecessary baggage and pain. I will allow love to push me towards the new self I am forging rather than hate of what was. My old body, like old hurts have no place in my future. I choose to release them.
3. Scarves and boots have been a part of clothing history for centuries yet every season I look forward to seeing what's hot. Eggplant, dark grey, ruby, chocolate, nutmeg, camel and cinnamon carry multiple meanings for me...smooth and velvety!
4. Love covers a multitude of ills
5. If you have hope, you have everything
6. The love and stability of family keeps me rooted
I assign value and meaning to my life, to my days, to my experiences. I added a 'no subletting' clause to my agreement. My relationship status, bank balance or scale will no longer determine my mood. I am in control of that. God is and always has been in my past, present and future, in Him will I trust. Surrender to the season and prepare for the continued joy to come.
Peace and prosperity,
Jodi
