October 27, 2014
By Gabrielle Visco, Herbalist
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
- John Muir
I invite you to take a deep breath right now. Hold it in your lungs for a few seconds and then slowly let it out through your mouth, letting out any sounds that want to release. Roll your shoulders in a circle, backwards and forwards. Wiggle your hips and align your spine. Take another deep breath, hold…and release through your nose. Now that you’ve adjusted, staying mindful of your body lets continue on.
~~~~*~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~
We have fallen into a new season, autumn, with the bright hues of red, gold and purple coloring our landscapes. It is my favorite time of year. How amazing it is to witness the fruits of our labor with abundant harvests from the gardens. The creative chef within me jumps for joy during this fruitful season. With a wide range of squashes, roots, beans, and greens to choose from, making a nourishing and warming meal that brings a smile upon my face. During this time of the year we start to change gears. Our plates are changing, the clothes we wear are different, the smells and the energy that surrounds us begin to shift.
This is the time of year where the cooler weather in the Northern Hemisphere and the lack of attention to what our body’s need create perfect environments for those bugs, flu, and virus can make a home inside us. If we are on autopilot and we may forget to take the time to make the seasonal changes in our day to day lives that nourish our whole body (mind, body, spirit).
Over the next month Plant Kindness will share how to bring nourishment to your doorstep with the season.
I invite you to re-read the quote above by John Muir.
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.” - John Muir
This is powerful!
What wonderful advice that brings us back into our bodies, reconnects us to the world around us, and empowers everyone no matter who you may be. As we start to notice the signs of winter approaching many folks turn their heaters on and stay indoors. While this may be beneficial for you at certain times it also limits our interaction to the world around us and can limit our immune system’s strength.
For Body
Make time for you and your loved ones to get outside. Whether going to the park to walk a dog or going on a forest trail, get that body moving. My enjoyment is walking on the property I live on and climbing up a steep hill that warms my blood and brings life to my spirit. When I get to the top I get to look out to the landscape of green trees, mossy boulders and hopefully water running down the stream. I breathe deeply and find peace with being outside.
For Mind
As we fall into a slower paced season we find that our minds naturally slow down too. Transform your life by dedicating time out of your busy schedule to come into to your body, to silence your mind, and breathe.
I know this is easier said than done! I too find myself “too busy” with “not enough time” to sit and meditate. But the beauty is --- It’s a practice! The more we practice taking the time for ourselves, for our wellbeing, for our peace of mind, for the greater good of the world, the more time just seems open to our having the time.
Adapt it to your lifestyle, your needs, and to what rings true for you.
Find yourself stuck in a car during traffic, pop in that meditative tape or drive in silence and stay completely present, not letting your mind wonder and not cursing the other drivers. For me instead of sleeping in till the last minute I wake up with my partner and go to work couple of hours early. This allows me the time to slow down and practice some yoga.
For Spirit
How do you connect to Spirit, your inner light, the “you” beyond the physical body?
Gratitude for me is the key. This is my way of connecting to the essence that expands beyond me as well as within me. Every day we can show our gratitude for all that we have, whether it’s the breath of life, the food that has been share, the new gadget that was purchased, the fellowship of friends, or the job that supports your most basic need.
Even when things are feeling mucky and not going the way we wished they were, we can find something we are grateful for that will bring us back to seeing the beauty in the moment. As humans we create a lot of distress by how we perceive the world around us. We can easily forget the simple gifts that surround us.
If you are able to have a candle at work you can connect by simply lighting a candle, or saying a mantra or prayer of gratitude. If you cannot have flame you can sing, dance, hum, spritz yourself with an essential oil, drink a cup of tea. Do what rings true for you, listen to your inner voice and honor her.
This is just a few examples of how we can bring nourishment into our daily lives. Stay tuned for our next blog with recipes!
May you be peace, may you be love, and may you be free from pain and suffering.