October

It's October, a new month and I'm getting over a cold. Two of my housemates were previously ill before me. A lot of friends and folks in my communities have had autumnal colds as well. As I sit down to write, it's like sifting through leaves on the sidewalk. Feeling the heat of the Bay Area heat-wave and then feeling the coolness of the breeze and the fog that has rolled in--greying the sky above the East Bay.

When I wake up in the morning, I want to focus on the day. To be present. To be aware of all of the movement that flows in my life. The movement that seems mundane, yet without rhythm, the practicalities, and the so-called mundane that is so human what would get done? Intentionally making my bed, drawing back the curtains to greet the morning light, sometimes seeing a squirrel on top of the fence post outside of my window, brushing my teeth, preparing hot water for tea, enjoying breakfast in the garden. Being present of the slight and gradual shifts of the early Autumn season in my back-yard. I often hear apples fall from the green apple tree in the back-yard while I eat my breakfast. Amelia harvested a bunch of apples and she left the ladder out near the tree. I, too climbed up the ladder and picked a small bag full of green apples. I intend to prepare apple sauce with them, which will be a first for me.

I harvested three beautiful tomatoes from my tomato plants today. This was my third or fourth tomato harvest. There are still more green and orange tomatoes! It's amazing to me how much fruit these three plants have produced. I notice the subtle changes in the plants. The different coloration of leaves on the trees in the backyard. As I am in touch with the seasons, the shifts of the calendar of the year this connects with the shifts and changes in my inner life, in my soul. In my intentional release and letting go, I feel cleansed and inwardly purified in a sense. This letting go--creating a list of what is no longer serving me and intentionally, letting it go is like the leaves falling from the giant oak trees or other lovely deciduous trees. During the Autumnal Equinox, I wrote a list several pages in length of everything that I'm grateful for. I also wrote a list of my new intentions.

Laying low and resting while getting over this cold I have had an opportunity to rest and process more than I've had in a long while. It almost feels foreign to me, yet much needed. My life is active, busy, and full. I intentionally carve out the time to go on walks around my neighborhood, carve out time to be present in the morning at least a few times a week depending on my schedule, intentionally carve out the time for a few long meditations every week, rather than short ones. I have had an opportunity to simply be and rest which is and was necessary. Living in the Bay Area, I want to balance work, play, and rest. No easy feat for an active and busy person. These pauses and intentionally carved out moments for a cup of hot tea, a walk, meditation, writing, contemplation--all of it recharges me and makes me feel balanced and human.

On the fun note: If any Bay Area friends want to take a short break from their studies or meet after or before work to toss a frisbee back and forth at Ohlone Park or another park in Berkeley, let me know! I've lived in the Bay Area for three years and I haven't played frisbee since I first moved here. This is one activity that I would like to carve out some occasional time for. The frisbee that I have glows in the dark (for a short duration) and has an alien on it.

Be well!

Ewan