October Landing
Fall is among us. Its presence known by releasing of the old; a warm array of hues in various shapes and sizes, crunchy as they lay scattered on the ground. The crisp bite of the morning air has become reliable, as the preparatory processes for clearing initiates, looming over, reminding us of winter’s pending arrival.
Although I have always enjoyed October, with it being my birthday month and containing the one childhood holiday I looked forward to every year, for as long as I can remember, there has been a certain weight that accompanies its return, like a dense fog hanging over what is. Life transitions to shorter days and colder nights, with less light to illuminate what we want to see and more darkness to fill spaces already hidden in the shadows.
What I recognize today is what it really holds is opportunity. Opportunity in the form of more time and space to turn inward, less distraction, and a more supportive environment to familiarize ourselves with what’s living inside.
Today I recognize it’s all choice, if we choose. Choice to step in, choice to slow down, choice to look within, just as it is choice to become cozy and settle into our processes.
While I can honor what was, I can remind myself of what is, and what is, is now. What was once true is only chiseled in stone if I see it to be. I can allow the heaviness of this season to wash over me and pass, just as easily and effortlessly as the leaves fall and the wind howls. Where there is resistance there is fear. And where there is fear there is fight. Where fight exists, I am gripping to control and when I am gripping, I am not being in allowance of. Can we be in allowance of what once was, of what is now, and of what no longer is, just as Mother Nature so gracefully shows us, year after year?
Can we be conscious enough to become aware of where we are at, today, in this moment?
Where has resistance taken up space in you? Where have you fought the weight or the heaviness?
Where have you forgotten the power you hold to be awake and choose?
Let us gift ourselves with the ability to choose new, each year, each season, each moment.
Let us remember our ever-changing, ever fluid nature as we hunker into the gradual progression of this season of slowness.
Let us acknowledge and honor our abilities to recognize the capacity we hold, when and especially if we allow ourselves to enter into each new space, each new season, each new moment, not predetermined, not already decided, but willing. Willing to let what is flow, and to let what is not fall away.
Happy Fall y’all. I love you all.
Written for you by Myra Chopp
FALL VIBES PLAYLIST
Skylar Dixon created a cozy and vibey fall playlist for you to enjoy all month long.
BEST PUMPKIN BANANA BREAD EVER
•1 cup of mashed banana, from about 2 medium/large VERY ripe bananas (almost black!)
•3/4 cup of canned 100% pure pumpkin puree
•1/2 cup of coconut sugar
•1/4 cup of pure maple syrup
•1/4 cup of melted coconut oil
•2 tsp of pure vanilla extract
•1 tsp of apple cider vinegar
•1-2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice, to taste
•1 tsp of cinnamon
•1/2 tsp of pink salt
•1 3/4 cups of fine oat flour, gluten free if needed
•1 tsp of baking powder
•1 tsp of baking soda
1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mashed banana, pumpkin puree, coconut sugar, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, apple cider vinegar, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, & pink salt.
3. Stir in oat flour, baking powder, and baking soda until just combined.
4. Pour into a parchment lined standard-sized loaf pan.
5. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a tooth pick comes out clean from the center. Cool completely before slicing.
6. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Try it warmed in a toaster oven or microwave and topped with a drizzle of honey & sprinkle of granola!
Recipe by Brianna Belanger, creator of Food For Goodness Sake
We hope this season serves you well.
May this season remind you of all the abundance that already exists, all the harvest waiting to be gathered, all the goodness that is already yours. May you take time to slow down, to really see the beauty that the Fall presents to us. And remind yourself how special and lovely it can be to release.
