Wednesday 14 November 2012

#One Week - Autumn '12 - Clearing

When the clocks change I slow down. Or I would like to. Squeezing my foot on the break would be far simpler if I didn't have a toddler on constant acceleration, hiding from monsters, 'ironing' my knickers, whooping atop the double bed.

I find this time of year very symbolic. A client once astutely observed that a tree knows how to be a tree, a flower knows how to be a flower - unfolding, basking in its innate beauty - but us humans? The myriad complexities of the human condition separate us from the cyclical ebb and flow of the natural world. Beneath the worries, the fears, the daily hubbub, the never ending to do lists, lies a forgotten moment that exists in an boundless present. I like to think this soothing balm is nature's gift if we just allow ourselves to stop, look close enough, realign our rhythm.


The leaves are falling and I am reminded that now is the time to prune the dross, simplify my schedule, rebalance my life - to dream of new possibilities as we plunge into darkness. This time of year really is one of death and rebirth. And when I think of it, we begin our lives sheathed in the warm, night time cave of the womb. In the dormant earth, the sodden black soil, behind the decay and rot lies another day, another hope, another promise, a fresh idea.


And so I need to reset the inner clock. Slow down a little. In the frenetic run up to Christmas I would like to blog less (who am I kidding), read more, find some time for yoga, luxuriate in a hot bath or two, enjoy my birthday, eat puddings, nail the plot of my book, spend time in silence, count my blessings...

...and douse myself in gratitude for all the love and support in my life.


Autumn begs me to take a chill pill, put my feet up and reflect upon this year's personal harvest.

It's time to simmer down, and be, be, be instead of do, do, do, if that's possible with a crazy toddler.

Do you mark this time of year?
What are you grateful for?  


This is the fourth day of the seasonal linky One Week. Until Friday, I'll be posting a photograph(s) and a few words that diarises and distills my experience of autumn'12. Take a peep at the details here. You can join in for one, two ... or the full five days. And don't forget to add #oneweek on Twitter, and comment on each others posts...


Badge Code ...

<a href="http://older-mum.blogspot.co.uk/p/one-week.html" title="One Week"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/7807711152_c1a4245128_m.jpg" width="225" height="169" alt="one week"></a>


32 comments:

  1. What a great post and great pictures. x

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    1. Thank you! I particularly like these photos! X.

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  2. Those pictures are simply stunning. Have put mine together and will post in the morning. This is such a wonderful series and you really do it justice - as do your contributors X

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    1. Thank you - I was very pleased with them too! Really looking forward to reading your post - very glad you are liking it! X.

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  3. Your pictures are gorgeous. I do get a bit reflective at this time of year,I love autumn, especially when we are just on the edge of winter, when the air really changes and the crows start coming home to roost in huge numbers, there's something almost mysteriously exciting about it

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    1. Thank you! I feel reflective too - I think it's how it's supposed to be. And I totally get what you are saying about the cusp of Autumn/Winter - there is something mysterious, almost magical, about it.

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  4. I especially love the first photo, beautiful. Great words too.
    I am linking up with my Samhain in the Chalice Gardens post, that is how me marked the change of season this year with Second Daughter.

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    1. I like that one too! Thank you. Really looking forward to reading your post - sounds lovely!

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  5. Such a beautifully written, reflective post. Wise words OM. I love the photographs too. Stunning. I have really enjoyed reading all your posts this week. I hope to join up again tomorrow. x

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    1. Than you so much! I think I've saved the best photos till last :o). So glad you have enjoyed reading. Will be great if you decide to link up again tomorrow. X.

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  6. Lovely thoughtful post and beautiful pics, really enjoying your blog. Andrea

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    1. Thank you so much - I'm going to hop on over to yours!

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  7. I've so enjoyed your posts this week - beautiful words and pictures. Really pleased to join in, especially as this autumn is such an important one for me x

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    1. Thank you! And I'm really chuffed you joined in - this is clearly a very special Autumn for you. X.

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  8. What abeautiful and thought provoking piece, I love our client's comment.

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    1. Thank you. Yes, it was one of those observations that has always stayed with me!

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  9. Oh my. Beautiful inspired post.

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    1. Thank you! I did wonder if it was a little navel gazing when I first wrote it - it would appear it wasn't :o).

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  10. Particularly love your last photo - I want to go kicking my way through those leaves there. Beautiful light. I always find autumn so inspiring.

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    1. Thank you - yes, that last one is pretty dramatic isn't it? The leaves on the ground were the reason I snapped it! The light in autumn is lovely!

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  11. This post is beautiful, I've loved them all but, am I allowed to say, this my favourite of yours so far this week. I love the rhythm of your words and the ease with which they come together. This line " lies a forgotten moment that exists in an boundless present" made my shoulders drop as I read it as I imagined myself finding that moment. Beautiful and the pics just enhance it's beauty.

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    1. Thank you very much, that is very kind, and yes, of course you can say which one is your favourite! I'm glad you liked it, and the way the words present themselves. I would like to tap a lot more into the present moment. Glad you liked the photos!

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  12. beautifully written..i agree with you about reflecting. I always feel a bit sad in autumn and sometimes im not really sure why!

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    1. Thank you. I can feel a little down too, and I usually take that as a cue to put the brakes on!

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  13. I love the photo with all the leaves and the pumpkins. Both very pretty. I really hate this time of year. Or at least I did. I used to hate the short days and long nights, I'm much more a summery spring person. Then Z came along in December and now it feels like that whole month is party month so like a bit of sunshine in the gloomy months.

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    1. Thank you! The Autumn can make me feel a little down, but I'm learning to roll with it a little more! All the merriment of December helpfully takes the attention away from the darker days.

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  14. What a beautiful reminder to us all - Autumn is just that, perfectly put, as always :) Winter and the frenetic Christmas period is certainly on it's way, let's enjoy the season of Autumn for as long as possible.

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    1. Thank you. I think Autumn is possibly the most powerful season in so many interesting ways. Time to put our feet up, if that is at all possible!

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  15. Hi their,
    Nice to have found you : )
    What a lovely post. I felt like I took a step back in time. I'm from Australia so this time of year it's the beginning of stifling weather so our bodies tend to slow down I suppose you would say with the heat..
    Thank you for taking me away from reality. Your pics are very nostalgic. I love them : )

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    1. Thank you! I wish I was in your shoes right now - it's cold and raining - while it's hot, hot, hot over your way - having said that, I'm not keen when it's really stifling either - slows me down too - glad this post post made you feel nostalgic. :o).

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  16. fab post and stunning pictures mrs!

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