A time for balance and reflection as our planet experiences equal hours of light and dark. Celebrated around the globe, the September Equinox is the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Northern Hemisphere, the growing season is complete, and the harvest begins. The harvest is a time of abundance, thanksgiving, and high energy. This high energy can manifest as spiritual restlessness as darkness increases, and our circadian rhythms shift. We feel off-center as our sleep cycle resets.
What’s the best strategy for a smooth move into the Fall?
Get extra sleep to reset your biological clock and begin a Gratitude Practice.
Every day, write down three things that you are grateful for. If you get stuck – consider these prompts.
1) Who are you grateful for? Who has your back? Who keeps you safe? Who gets your love? Who gets your respect? Who is an unsung hero?
2) You have stuff! Which things are you so accustomed to that you forget how wonderful they are? Walk into your kitchen. Celebrate having appliances, plates, flatware. What about the pantry full of food? Walk into your bedroom – your bathroom – your study. Be happy for the abundance you enjoy – not in a greedy, grasping way – but in a joyful, appreciative way!
3) Think about all the books, songs, and movies that have brought you joy. Quotes that uplift you, podcasts that move you – be grateful.
4) Think about your activities and the wonder of moving your body through space – hitting and kicking balls, walking and running, breathing deeply. Be grateful for internal organs and the blood that your heart pumps through your body. When was the last time you said “thank you” to your kidneys?
5) Think about who you are – a good friend, a compassionate human, a great teacher. You are artistic, creative, worthy, and resilient. You are kind, generous, trustworthy, and cheerful. You light up rooms when you walk in. You are a caregiver, a parent, a sibling, a grandparent. Appreciate yourself!
Write it down! Review it! Celebrate it! You are worthy! Be grateful!
Tuesday, September 22nd at 7 PM
Celebrate the Equinox with a Guided Meditation of Gratitude and Loving-Kindness.
