„Remember that your renewal efforts must touch all levels of your being: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual.“ […]
Source: The Seasons of Change. Using Nature’s Wisdom to Grow Through Life’s inevitable Up’s and Downs. Carol L. McClelland, PH.D., Conari Press, Boston USA, 1989, Pg.95.
That photo reminds me quite a bit of my sister when she was that age :-) She's born at the very end of August so it sort of fits with the season!
I like autumn a lot - the leaves, the colours, the storms, chestnuts, chimneyplaces/ fireplaces (where I live now there's an actual fireplace so that's great and I've managed to use it one evening - never did that before so it was a great experience) - but at the same time I always am sad about summer leaving and winter coming. I guess it is the same as with change..... (plus the darker season is trickier mentally; I've bought a SAD lamp for this reason at the end of winter so this autumn and winter I'm going to see if it helps to use it regularly). I do actually like winter as a season too, I think it's mostly the darkness that can be difficult.
My summer was overloaded with work and life admin (organising is not my strong side) and I have to carry it over into this season too. Trying to be kinder to myself but strike a balance at keeping my work schedule relatively regular (I have a fixed work schedule but also have to do extra work at home for my professional training and it feels like it's going on forever with no end in sight some days).
We have had flooding the last couple of days in some areas here and already in the first few days of September there were some days with super dense fog (foghorn sounding in the morning over the Mersey!) - I like that about autumn. Not so much the flooding obviously but I this area has been lucky compared with a lot of eastern and central Europe..
Wishing everyone a cosy and lovely autum with just the right balance of change and respite.
It depresses me that I won’t see the sun as much. And since friendships are hard to come by, there is little to divert from the heavy skies. I want to keep practicing my writing on here…even though I don’t get feedback. It’s therapeutic to do it.
I have a watercolor that describes my feelings about a recent trip to India that I need to finish from the summer, almost done. For Autumn, I am learning about Reverse meditation. I heard about it on this podcast https://megaphone.link/TPG1629563838 and then checked out Andrew Holocek’s book “Reverse Meditation” from the library. You learn to become your pain while in meditation which bypasses the suffering. It’s very interesting and I am trying it out to see what it’s like.
I'm still digging through my father's legacy as an historian and a creative spirit himself. He's left quite a collection in his wake - part of which is philatelic and boxing those artifacts is my main focus these next days.
Summer was really hectic and I don’t feel that I spent time being connected. I spent a lot of time taking care of others because at that time it was necessary.
I have now left London for three weeks and am in Cyprus under the Mediterranean sun. It’s surprisingly difficult to unwind.
My goals for autumn are to be kinder to myself and to make time for things that foster connection and creativity.
Autumn has usually been a good time of year for me, perhaps as the unbearably oppressive heat of the summer finally abates and I can breathe more freely. Whether in Texas where I grew up or in Taiwan, summers can be brutal and fall, a much welcome respite, although seasonal rains can put a damper (wink wink) on such feelings. Otherwise, I've rarely had the privilege of experiencing the seasonal change as you have with the changing color of the leaves or the crispness in the air. (No crispness in these parts, I'm afraid.)
I've been spending several months now on a project, exploring the music and history of the Beach Boys post-Pet Sounds (1967-71 specifically)--very summery one would think but at a time in their history when things were no longer evergreen. It's been an up and down process as I've questioned at times whether it was worth doing (as it's taken far longer than I'd expected) but once having started I feel committed to completing. I'd like to get back to other projects, but I still have a ways to go. In the meantime, I am considering my health: trying to eat better, exercise with my son who's trying to get better at jump rope, and get back into meditation. I have to be patient with myself and those around me. Small steps have been made; I can work with that.
Thanks for your writing, Jesse. I appreciate having this space to share--perhaps overindulgently, but I suppose it's something I need. (Another thing to consider...) Anyway, I'm grateful and I hope it's of value to you and others in some small way.
Yes, indeed. I'm working on that part of their history currently. They really had a lot of bad luck at that time, the Beach Boys, though a lot of their problems were also self-inflicted (interal/family conflicts, dropping out of the Monterey Pop Festival, an ill-conceived tour with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, etc.). But the whole Manson thing was in many ways simple bad luck. By the time of the Tate-LaBianca murders in August '69, Dennis's association with Manson had ended nearly a year earlier--after they had recorded one of Manson's songs. (Of course, Terry Melcher's association was even more significant.)
Their album 'Sunflower' came out in February of 1970, only a few months after the murders. Manson and his associates were arrested in December, and I presume that his connection to the Beach Boys was in the press at the time leading up to the album's release. Joan Didion wrote that everyone in the area knew about the murders and had been well freaked out by them, unsurprisingly. I'm guessing the association played a part in the album's failure at the time. A shame because it is a fantastic record, now regarded as one of their best after 'Pet Sounds', and included some of Dennis's best work too.
... but you probably know all this! You can see I'm in the thick of it.
Just a series of articles, actually, and just for fun/personal interest. The book work is something else entirely--also fun but very different, more philosophical. Until then, once more unto the beach, dear friends...
We have a cottage to pack up in the Autumn until we open next Summer. There's a sadness there, but also a feeling of hunkering down for winter. Winter is slow, dark. Summer is fast, bright. I love pumpkin beer in Autumn. It's nice to have the four seasons.
Autumn has always been my favorite season - the physical slowing down, the end of too-hotness and glaring sun and a welcoming of crisp leaves, scurrying animals, deep rich earth scents.
Autumn in Scotland brings a beauty of colour, I can see my breath change as the air gets colder, wiping condensation from inside windows a sure sign colder weather coming, lighting fires for warmth, favourite jumpers looked out, autumn colours everywhere in the fields, trees, sky, picking brambles to make bramble jelly, making soups and crusty bread for lunch, preparing delicious stews and mashed potatoes for supper, lighting candles as the night draws in, etc etc… I could go on! Autumn is like a comfort blanket to me, I love it 🍂
I love the two pictures separated by time in sentimental simplicity. I found that hugely impactful. Maybe it's just me (it might very well be) but when I see children I sometimes fast forward time in my head to see what they will be like as adults, these pictures provide that thoughtful time lapse in unquestionable accuracy.
To the rest, there is so much (as always) but I will try and get to the point:)
When I was young I used to dread the arrival of autumn and the end of the long summer holiday (one year we had NINE weeks of summer holiday!). I loved the last day of school before the holiday and dreaded the first day of school after the holiday. It heralded another effort of trying to fit in, to be accepted, to survive!
I know that feeling of having so many emotions and thoughts bottled up and for me writing song lyrics and listening to music provided and escape during my early years. So yes, writing is indeed my savior as well.
I am sorry you went through all that but also glad, as it shaped who you are today, as it did me.
"The leaves turn to brown and start to fall from the sky like tired wishes" Love this so much!
For me, this autumn/winter there are a few work changes I need to make and hopefully the right opportunities will present themselves. I also really need to edit my memoir Misfit and complete the final chapter - of the book not my life:)
Thank you for this deeply impactful and thought provoking post, as always:)
"To the rest, there is so much (as always) but I will try and get to the point:)"
I completely understand, Lee. ;^) Good luck on your memoir! I too am trying to get writing projects completed, so allow me to send some mutual encouragement. Cheers!
I have really come to love Autumn as my favourite season. I think for me it is knowing that it is a transitional season between Summer and Winter. Summer I tend to (unfairly?) take for granted. While Winter, I do enjoy, but there are less hours of sunshine and it does feel like a sort of hibernation season. Because of these two opposites, I tend to savour each day of Autumn that much more. I know as a season, it feels brief.
As for your questions, Jesse - such a great reflection exercise!
Q1. What is unfinished from Summer that you would like to complete, bring closure to, and/or continue/bring forward as we transition into the colder months?
A1. I want to start writing a book of poetry. I have been bouncing the idea around and mostly procrastinating on actually doing it since early Summer. I think Autumn and Winter will give me time to write the book. Spring and Summer present too many distractions with the longer sunshine and opportunities to hike and photograph Nature.
Q2.What do you want to focus on first for Autumn? Is there something you’ve already started and would like to give your attention to more deeply? And/or is there something completely new that you’re ready to begin with?
A2. I want to focus on reviving my Korean language abilities which have seriously degraded over the past decade. The past 2 weeks I have been relearning some words and phrases and it has been a nice time reacquainting myself with the language.
„Remember that your renewal efforts must touch all levels of your being: physical, emotional, mental, spiritual.“ […]
Source: The Seasons of Change. Using Nature’s Wisdom to Grow Through Life’s inevitable Up’s and Downs. Carol L. McClelland, PH.D., Conari Press, Boston USA, 1989, Pg.95.
That photo reminds me quite a bit of my sister when she was that age :-) She's born at the very end of August so it sort of fits with the season!
I like autumn a lot - the leaves, the colours, the storms, chestnuts, chimneyplaces/ fireplaces (where I live now there's an actual fireplace so that's great and I've managed to use it one evening - never did that before so it was a great experience) - but at the same time I always am sad about summer leaving and winter coming. I guess it is the same as with change..... (plus the darker season is trickier mentally; I've bought a SAD lamp for this reason at the end of winter so this autumn and winter I'm going to see if it helps to use it regularly). I do actually like winter as a season too, I think it's mostly the darkness that can be difficult.
My summer was overloaded with work and life admin (organising is not my strong side) and I have to carry it over into this season too. Trying to be kinder to myself but strike a balance at keeping my work schedule relatively regular (I have a fixed work schedule but also have to do extra work at home for my professional training and it feels like it's going on forever with no end in sight some days).
We have had flooding the last couple of days in some areas here and already in the first few days of September there were some days with super dense fog (foghorn sounding in the morning over the Mersey!) - I like that about autumn. Not so much the flooding obviously but I this area has been lucky compared with a lot of eastern and central Europe..
Wishing everyone a cosy and lovely autum with just the right balance of change and respite.
It depresses me that I won’t see the sun as much. And since friendships are hard to come by, there is little to divert from the heavy skies. I want to keep practicing my writing on here…even though I don’t get feedback. It’s therapeutic to do it.
I have a watercolor that describes my feelings about a recent trip to India that I need to finish from the summer, almost done. For Autumn, I am learning about Reverse meditation. I heard about it on this podcast https://megaphone.link/TPG1629563838 and then checked out Andrew Holocek’s book “Reverse Meditation” from the library. You learn to become your pain while in meditation which bypasses the suffering. It’s very interesting and I am trying it out to see what it’s like.
Thanks for the prompts!
I'm still digging through my father's legacy as an historian and a creative spirit himself. He's left quite a collection in his wake - part of which is philatelic and boxing those artifacts is my main focus these next days.
After reading this again and the comments I had to share with everyone this song about he end of summer from Carly Simon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpvBSaXAx24
Summer was really hectic and I don’t feel that I spent time being connected. I spent a lot of time taking care of others because at that time it was necessary.
I have now left London for three weeks and am in Cyprus under the Mediterranean sun. It’s surprisingly difficult to unwind.
My goals for autumn are to be kinder to myself and to make time for things that foster connection and creativity.
Autumn has usually been a good time of year for me, perhaps as the unbearably oppressive heat of the summer finally abates and I can breathe more freely. Whether in Texas where I grew up or in Taiwan, summers can be brutal and fall, a much welcome respite, although seasonal rains can put a damper (wink wink) on such feelings. Otherwise, I've rarely had the privilege of experiencing the seasonal change as you have with the changing color of the leaves or the crispness in the air. (No crispness in these parts, I'm afraid.)
I've been spending several months now on a project, exploring the music and history of the Beach Boys post-Pet Sounds (1967-71 specifically)--very summery one would think but at a time in their history when things were no longer evergreen. It's been an up and down process as I've questioned at times whether it was worth doing (as it's taken far longer than I'd expected) but once having started I feel committed to completing. I'd like to get back to other projects, but I still have a ways to go. In the meantime, I am considering my health: trying to eat better, exercise with my son who's trying to get better at jump rope, and get back into meditation. I have to be patient with myself and those around me. Small steps have been made; I can work with that.
Thanks for your writing, Jesse. I appreciate having this space to share--perhaps overindulgently, but I suppose it's something I need. (Another thing to consider...) Anyway, I'm grateful and I hope it's of value to you and others in some small way.
Definitely an interesting part of the Beach Boys history to be writing about. Especially the unlikely association between Dennis Wilson and Manson.
Yes, indeed. I'm working on that part of their history currently. They really had a lot of bad luck at that time, the Beach Boys, though a lot of their problems were also self-inflicted (interal/family conflicts, dropping out of the Monterey Pop Festival, an ill-conceived tour with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, etc.). But the whole Manson thing was in many ways simple bad luck. By the time of the Tate-LaBianca murders in August '69, Dennis's association with Manson had ended nearly a year earlier--after they had recorded one of Manson's songs. (Of course, Terry Melcher's association was even more significant.)
Their album 'Sunflower' came out in February of 1970, only a few months after the murders. Manson and his associates were arrested in December, and I presume that his connection to the Beach Boys was in the press at the time leading up to the album's release. Joan Didion wrote that everyone in the area knew about the murders and had been well freaked out by them, unsurprisingly. I'm guessing the association played a part in the album's failure at the time. A shame because it is a fantastic record, now regarded as one of their best after 'Pet Sounds', and included some of Dennis's best work too.
... but you probably know all this! You can see I'm in the thick of it.
You have indeed set yourself quite a task, but the twists and turns will make for an excellent book!
Just a series of articles, actually, and just for fun/personal interest. The book work is something else entirely--also fun but very different, more philosophical. Until then, once more unto the beach, dear friends...
Do we still Capitalize the names of seasons? That was true for me in school. Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn.
We have a cottage to pack up in the Autumn until we open next Summer. There's a sadness there, but also a feeling of hunkering down for winter. Winter is slow, dark. Summer is fast, bright. I love pumpkin beer in Autumn. It's nice to have the four seasons.
Once again thank you so much for your peaceful words and approach of situations / vibes. Just reading you put me in cocoon of soft velvet 🍂
Autumn has always been my favorite season - the physical slowing down, the end of too-hotness and glaring sun and a welcoming of crisp leaves, scurrying animals, deep rich earth scents.
Autumn in Scotland brings a beauty of colour, I can see my breath change as the air gets colder, wiping condensation from inside windows a sure sign colder weather coming, lighting fires for warmth, favourite jumpers looked out, autumn colours everywhere in the fields, trees, sky, picking brambles to make bramble jelly, making soups and crusty bread for lunch, preparing delicious stews and mashed potatoes for supper, lighting candles as the night draws in, etc etc… I could go on! Autumn is like a comfort blanket to me, I love it 🍂
I love the two pictures separated by time in sentimental simplicity. I found that hugely impactful. Maybe it's just me (it might very well be) but when I see children I sometimes fast forward time in my head to see what they will be like as adults, these pictures provide that thoughtful time lapse in unquestionable accuracy.
To the rest, there is so much (as always) but I will try and get to the point:)
When I was young I used to dread the arrival of autumn and the end of the long summer holiday (one year we had NINE weeks of summer holiday!). I loved the last day of school before the holiday and dreaded the first day of school after the holiday. It heralded another effort of trying to fit in, to be accepted, to survive!
I know that feeling of having so many emotions and thoughts bottled up and for me writing song lyrics and listening to music provided and escape during my early years. So yes, writing is indeed my savior as well.
I am sorry you went through all that but also glad, as it shaped who you are today, as it did me.
"The leaves turn to brown and start to fall from the sky like tired wishes" Love this so much!
For me, this autumn/winter there are a few work changes I need to make and hopefully the right opportunities will present themselves. I also really need to edit my memoir Misfit and complete the final chapter - of the book not my life:)
Thank you for this deeply impactful and thought provoking post, as always:)
"To the rest, there is so much (as always) but I will try and get to the point:)"
I completely understand, Lee. ;^) Good luck on your memoir! I too am trying to get writing projects completed, so allow me to send some mutual encouragement. Cheers!
Thank you Brent, we can do this:)
I’m in Cali. I just want to swim more. ♥️🕊️
I have really come to love Autumn as my favourite season. I think for me it is knowing that it is a transitional season between Summer and Winter. Summer I tend to (unfairly?) take for granted. While Winter, I do enjoy, but there are less hours of sunshine and it does feel like a sort of hibernation season. Because of these two opposites, I tend to savour each day of Autumn that much more. I know as a season, it feels brief.
As for your questions, Jesse - such a great reflection exercise!
Q1. What is unfinished from Summer that you would like to complete, bring closure to, and/or continue/bring forward as we transition into the colder months?
A1. I want to start writing a book of poetry. I have been bouncing the idea around and mostly procrastinating on actually doing it since early Summer. I think Autumn and Winter will give me time to write the book. Spring and Summer present too many distractions with the longer sunshine and opportunities to hike and photograph Nature.
Q2.What do you want to focus on first for Autumn? Is there something you’ve already started and would like to give your attention to more deeply? And/or is there something completely new that you’re ready to begin with?
A2. I want to focus on reviving my Korean language abilities which have seriously degraded over the past decade. The past 2 weeks I have been relearning some words and phrases and it has been a nice time reacquainting myself with the language.