welcome to Fall

It's officially fall in Bend, complete with steamy cups of chai tea, warm sweaters, colored leaves and family photos. The fresh, crisp air is a blessed reminder that life comes in seasons and change actually IS a good thing. I'm not sure what season I'm entering into or what the future will hold. But life is an adventure and it's good to be kept on my toes.

My knee-jerk reaction is to find security and a safe route as soon as possible. But in the midst of the craziness of this month, I've begun to search out quiet times, to slow down, to find space to breathe. I, and probably you, have gone nonstop, trying to squeeze as much out of summer as possible, but rarely have I truly savored a moment....I now see the need to pause, to rest, to reflect.

This morning a wise friend told me it's about finding the right question to ask.

I've been sitting on the floor of my room a lot lately -  no music, no internet, no cell phone or distractions. And in this time I've begun to seek out my Question.

I think we all have different questions that we must ask throughout life but at some point, we all must give ourselves permission to ask, "What makes me feel alive?"

What is that one thing you can talk about, write about or think about without end? What keeps you awake at night out of excitement, instead of worry? So often we live on the edge, in defense, in survival mode, and we forget we are supposed to live life in abundance.

abundant life....

In my quiet times of reflection I've starting naming the things I love, the things I care about and the things that energize me. Don't get me wrong, reflecting is not an easy thing to do, it takes discipline to sit still, to wait, to be quiet and to be honest with myself...but it's healthy and it's rewarding.

I wish I could speak in conclusions, to tie this up neatly and send it on it's way...but I can't. Life is in process, it's messy, it's complicated. But it's the beginning of something new, it's an end and a death of one season of life, and at that very same time it's a fresh start. A chance to create something that's never happened before.The opportunity to find your Right Question, an invitation to chase after those dream that keep you dreaming.

New seasons ARE good. Change is good.

welcome to Fall.