Seasons change - and so must we
Despite no longer living in the UK, I have received 3 reminders this week that the clocks are going backwards this weekend.
Daylight saving time will end for most of Europe, North America and parts of Asia and Africa, signalling the end of the summer and the beginning of autumn.
Autumn Leaves
I used to love running through the forest during autumn and seeing the leaves change from green to vibrant reds and golds. This time is a great reminder to start to slow down, to reflect, and nourish ourselves to prevent illnesses in winter.
Festival of Lights
I attended a very multicultural primary school in the UK and during autumn and winter we observed many religious and cultural celebrations including Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas. We would also have a harvest festival where food and groceries would be collected for those in need.
Although I wouldn’t become aware of the significance of these celebrations until many years later, I always felt a palpable shift in the air around this time.
Diwali (the festival of lights) represents the triumph of light over dark or good over evil. The Christmas Star or Star of Bethlehem is also a symbol of hope and new life.
The harvest festival was symbolic of reaping what we have sown during the summer months to keep us nourished during the harsh winter months, and connecting with other humans.
Take Stock
It is an ideal time to take stock of the things we have been working on throughout the year. Using this time to rest or slow down, as we cannot be on the go all the time. I highly recommend hibernating with soups and fluffy socks.
Autumn is a time start to reflect on shedding the things that haven’t worked for us or are no longer serving us, and make way for new beginnings in the coming months.
How will you be hibernating this autumn?
In my youth, while working in retail administration on Oxford Street, I was asked or coerced into doing a stock take once the store had closed one evening. For reasons that, to this day, baffle me, the stock take took all night. The manager gave our small team cash to get a cab home. I emerged onto an eerily quiet Oxford Street, with the sun peeking over the buildings.
I managed to raise my tired arm to hail a black cab. The driver pulled over. I told him where I wanted to go and I slumped into the seat ready to be whisked off to my warm, comfortable bed. Before I could properly settle in, I saw the cab driver hesitate. Then he turned around to me and said, “You’ll need to pay up front.” I beg your pardon?!