It's October!
October is more than just another month for me. October is a state of being. A way of life. If you know, you know. If you don’t, allow me to paint you a picture of the divine…
O! Hideously Divine October!
(A poem that I am going to write on the fly for this post.)
There’s a certain change that happens when October sneaks around, Both seen and unseen, October lets you know change is inevitable. The trees blatantly state, "I'm done with this shit!" and shake it off like Taylor Swift. The air feels more crisp, the smells of fall permeate outdoor and indoor spaces. Every coffee shop reeks of "pumpkin spice" while the pumpkin patches smell of rich earth and decay. The constant hum of leaf blowers and lawn mowers remind us that it's only a matter of time before the snow arrives. And we will switch out our super human machinery to snow blowers and plow trucks to prove we are the masters of our own domains. We will carefully prepare our costumes, embodying all the joys of childhood and the remembrance of what it feels to make believe we are something else. As if the world isn't scary enough, we replay all the movies and shows that remind us to remain vigilant to the ever-present doom, lurking around every corner. And inside, something feels just right. Though fear is often an unwanted guest, in October, we invite it in and have coffee with it by the fireside. "Tell me of your world, dear fear! What news have you of all things gloomy and forlorn?" Savoring every moment of this magic, I surrender to its wisdom. October shows us it will be all right.
So, yeah, that just poured out. Lately, rather than writing with a purpose, I’ve been practicing with the idea of just letting whatever is in me exit and find its way to the page. I am loving this practice because it is a gift that keeps on giving. Here’s what I mean:
The first gift is being 100% present in the moment and emptying my mind. Very zen-full.
The second gift is going back and reading the text a few days later and noticing the underlying theme or vibe and letting that inform me better on what I’m feeling and needing on any given issue.
The last and most precious gift is looking back after months or years and seeing the bigger arch in the stories, which oftentimes (unbeknownst to me) are answers to what I needed all along. And then being grateful that I planted those seeds and watered them along the way.
Anyhoo, my intention this October is to slow down and savor as many moments as possible. My goal is to write something everyday. My hope for you is lots of love, scary movies, magical costumes and all the pumpkin spice your body can handle!
Oh, and also, my birthday is on a Friday the 13th again this year, just like the year I was spawned! AND I’ll be with my family and my dear sister for the celebrations!
Love you! xoxo, jess