Changing Light

I don't know about you but I find this time of year a bit unsettling. It's a time of transition from the relaxed, slow mode of summer to the busy, chaotic start of Fall. The bright and lingering daylight of summer days changes to rising in the dark. The air feels chillier as we head to work. Suddenly - or so it seems - we have to wear pants again! 

As a teacher, I feel like we are thrown, rather rudely I might add, into full-on overwhelm! New students, new curriculums, new schedules, way too much information, multiple meetings, signups, planning, ordering, remembering,... and no time to sift through or process it. And that's just at work! Home lives speed up again too, with hockey tryouts, rehearsals, and startups of all kinds. September feels hard!

But the changing light and cooler air also holds anticipation, an awaiting. Of new...new friends, new tries, new endeavours, new possibilities, new light! For students and teachers, there is the excitement of a new school year, a fresh start, new friends and colleagues, new challenges, and new places.

In my meditation this morning, I was reminded of how important it is to stay rooted in these transition periods, rooted in the knowledge that I am loved and precious. To spend time being still, in the quiet, just listening. To know that I am enough in the midst of this chaos. 

Focusing on the light in my life helps me to move forward each day. It helps me get out of my head, to see clearly the gifts around me. The small lights...a pumpkin spice latte, fresh muffins from a friend, words of kindness and support in a text message, a hug, a smile. A big lights... our families, our friends, the beauty of the changing trees, the bounty of our gardens and apple trees, new babies. 

Being a light for others, no matter how small or little we think our efforts are, is a choice we can make as we step into the changing light of each day, of this chaotic transition into Fall. Let's share our light and transform the world around us.