Letting Go

Favorite month?

Hands down... May and October!

What an October it has been this year.  Simply from an astronomical point of view - the things we've seen (several firsts for us) - the Northern Lights, a comet in the night sky, and last week's enormous moon!  If I were superstitious (which I am not) I would probably think that something amazing is on the horizon.  However, to me, those three things were amazing enough to last me for a very long time!

There's something about October, though, isn't there?  

It's a month of cozy blends - still warm enough for mouth-watering grills and cool enough for hearty soups and stews.  Spicy cups of warm beverages to accompany apple or pumpkin treats.  Longer evenings.  Good books read under a cozy blanket.   October delivers all of these good things.

Step outside and you are greeted with a wondrous blend of assorted color and texture as summer's energy slowly, but purposefully, slips into winter's slumber.  

October brings a change of season - a time of transformation.  Our own lives are also divided into seasons- and as it's been said - "to everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose...."

 October sends us a clear message that it's time to let go.  Letting go is a necessity.

As dry leaves fall to the earth, no longer serving the trees that once held onto them tightly - so, too, can we let go of things that no longer serve us... things perhaps we have held onto very tightly for too long. 

Just like the trees who cannot blossom without first shedding their old foliage... we, too, need to let go - let go of old wounds, disappointments, fears, and loss.  And though we all experience these things, they no longer serve us.  As humans, we were meant to grow, to learn, to become the best versions of ourselves - something we cannot do while clinging to our own withering leaves.   That old foliage that we cling to  weighs us down, overshadows our inner lights and keeps us from blossoming anew.

October is a good time to also let go of the material things that weigh us down.  With a holiday season ahead, it's a good time to get rid of that which no longer serves us materially- donating to shelters, charity shops, and thrift stores so that others may put these items to use in the coming months.

Entering a new season, with less to hold us back, allows us to fully engage with each day.

Simplifying not only our surroundings, but our "inner holdings" makes room for gratitude for the greatest of all gifts - life, itself.

October reminds us to live life and to love life - and to travel this road, unencumbered.

Sending much love from the farm.

* Today's post highlights photos taken this weekend as we enjoyed another perfect October weekend here in the beautiful rolling hills of Pennsylvania.   I baked bread and made more soap.  We walked the woods, and bicycled the countryside.  We watched Tyler win his wrestling tournament and watched Mackenzie score her first soccer goal - all great fun!

And, by the way... our boy loves these frosty mornings!

PS... thank you for so eagerly buying up all of my soap... I hope you enjoy it as much as I did making it.  I have a few new scents planned for the coming weeks, but must wait for some ingredients to arrive, first. Also, I would greatly appreciate your dropping me a quick email when your soap arrives - just so that I can put that subject to rest. ❤️