VERONICA LEE

As the days grow shorter, we may feel rushed to get things done by sundown. The summer days are long and slow and offer plenty of time to do our daily duties in addition to enjoying sunshiny outings here and there. Fall, however, can be a confusing push and pull of our energies. Namely, Nature – including our own inner rhythm – begins to call us inward and to slow down while the rest of our activities ask us to continue at a heightened pace, or even require more from us, like going back to school. Perhaps Nature’s beckoning us to fall back into her rhythm.

It is responsible to honor our obligations, but it is imperative that we learn to listen to Nature’s call and ease up on the throttle if we are to feel connected to ourselves, Source, and – yes – Nature herself. Of course, we can always squeeze in time for ourselves, a daily prayer or brief meditation, or a short hike, but in so doing we will likely feel the intensity of that constant squeezing action (also known as a contraction), not to mention the impressions it leaves on us.

When we spend much of our energies hurrying and scurrying, squeezing and pushing, efforting and going, going, going, we often squeeze out some of the fundamental properties of living joyful, healthy lives. For example, how deeply does one breathe when contracting or pushing? Is it a deep, calming, rhythmic breath? (Not usually.)

How does one listen to Nature’s rhythm and harmonize with fall?
Perhaps you begin your fall with a journal. Take a few minutes each evening (or in the morning before anyone else is awake) and just write. You can purge your thoughts and emotions, create wish lists, or simply doodle – whatever inspires you. This small act can cultivate inward time for yourself, offer you profound insights, as well as help you break away from the faster pace of the outside world.

Fall is the perfect time to nurture your home and hearth. Spend a little time recreating your sanctuary along with the yard or property on which it resides. Tending to your home, hearth and garden is very grounding. Moreover, it helps you reset your inner time clock to coincide with autumn.

Throughout the day, take time to observe Nature and connect with the natural world. Whether you collect fall leaves to decorate your dinner table, sit affectionately with your pet, listen to the birds sing before you begin your day, or stargaze at night, bringing consciousness to what Nature is doing, saying and offering will not only help you harmonize with her, it will also open your heart to receive her gifts. When you let yourself fall back into Nature’s rhythm, breathing fully and rhythmically will come easier, too, because you will be easing up on the constant contractions and distractions of life on the go.

By taking on even one of these tasks this fall – with mindfulness and intent – we will more easily align with Nature. With less daylight, time may seem likes it’s running out, especially when we change those clocks to make them fall back! Yet, regardless of what mean time your clock is supposed to be set for – daylight saving time or standard time – autumn offers you an opportunity to set your inner time clock to the optimal time: WRM Time (a.k.a. time for what really matters).