The Blessing of Stillness
This week, one of my sisters sent me some beautiful photos from a hike near the Finger Lakes in Upstate New York. To my surprise, the leaves on one tree were already turning from green to red. Yes, change is in the air, and those images transported me back to a sacred autumn memory I shared several years ago with a dear friend who hosted me at her home, Serenity Farm, in Virginia.
When I arrived, the weather was much warmer than I expected, so my friend offered to take me on a tour of the property to see what was new since my last visit. She was especially excited to show me the clearing in the woods in front of the main house that she envisioned as the site of an outdoor chapel.
As we walked toward the clearing, our footsteps crunched in the ankle-deep carpet of fallen leaves. It sounded like we were marching on bags of potato chips. The crisp air, along with the smell and sound of the leaves, brought me back to the autumns of my childhood in Upstate New York. It was a full sensory experience!
The moment I stepped into the clearing, I felt that familiar tingling sensation in my body. Spirit was signaling me to pay attention. There was something sacred to be experienced there. Not surprisingly, I had rose quartz with me, so we sprinkled some of the tiny crystals around the clearing to bless the space and add the energy of unconditional love and compassion.
When we finished, my friend suggested we lie down in the leaves in the middle of the clearing and just look up at the sky. What a nurturing experience that was! Cradled by Mother Earth in a bed of soft, crunchy leaves, we gazed upward as wisps of clouds drifted across the blue sky. Some clouds resembled angels, others dragons, and one we agreed looked like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Every so often, a gust of wind would send another batch of autumn leaves wafting down around us like blessings from Heaven. Each time it happened, we both giggled like children. It was truly magical.
That moment was a beautiful reminder that some of life’s most joyful experiences don’t require elaborate plans or complicated activities. Something as simple as lying on the ground, listening to the wind, watching leaves fall, and letting nature embrace you can be incredibly restorative.
However, that can only happen when we slow down and allow ourselves a little more spaciousness in our schedules. It’s something I have to be mindful of all the time. When I’m not, I tend to plan too many things in a short period of time. This is a timely reminder for me (and perhaps for you, too) as I start to fill my calendar for the remainder of this year.
With so many things calling for our attention in this ever-quickening world, I know slowing down can be easier said than done. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, and slowing down seems impossible, I would be honored to support you with a series of Spiritual Coaching Sessions or a private Family Constellations Session. Both can help you create more joy and spaciousness in your life by releasing what no longer serves you.
For more information or to book a session, please explore my website. I look forward to slowing down and sharing some joyful, healing moments with you!
Until next time, I invite you to step outside and let nature work her quiet magic. Watch the clouds drift by. Look at the moon. Gaze at the stars. And allow blessings to float gently into your life like autumn leaves carried on the wind.
The miracle comes quietly into the mind that stops an instant and is still.
A Course in Miracles ~ T-28.I.11:1