Farewell November
looking back with love
Hello Friends,
November is about to leave us, and with Thanksgiving around the corner, I thought this was a great time to write a list of things that brought me joy this month. With so much negativity and hate in the atmosphere, writing this list refreshed my spirit. I hope it sparks some ideas for you!
A Sense of Play: from my notes: “Atop a chilly hill sits November, trees trembling in the ghost of her breath, lacy frost etched across each rusty leaf. Shades of gray ink her skies, sometimes bloated with rain in the earlier days, sometimes curtained with snowy squalls as she turns her face towards December. Her gown is the dark umber of tree trunks and the dusky gray of clouds. Her hair is tawny grasses, her crown, bare, reaching branches, glistening with sleet, her children, stray leaves scattered upon the ground. She understands leaving the warmth of autumn behind, invoking December in his winter tails to dance with her for brief moments, before relinquishing her time. Farewell, November. Until we meet again.” - Throughout November I jotted notes into my phone, like this little story, without judgement, allowing myself to play. My imagination comes alive when the weather grows cold, and November was so dry here that when rain finally came, I felt inspired. Creativity poured down! And as a bonus our rainy days ended with just a bit of nighttime snowfall. It was gone the next day, but such is the dance of November.
Full Beaver Moon over Anytown, USA Beaver Moon & Coywolf: from my notes: The full moon this November was huge in the sky. It nested in the treetops until rising high on a clear night to light the way for a coywolf roaming the local hills near town. At first I thought a coywolf was a shy wolf, a made-up word for a fictional creature. But they are real, and I first heard about them from a neighbor who saw one in her back yard. Coywolf is actually the nickname for the Eastern Coyote, a coyote, wolf, and domestic dog hybrid. Nature is on my list every month, and I’m thrilled when I learn something new. You can read more about the coywolf here.
Reaching Out: I’m sort of shy and joining groups is never high on my list of priorities. But recently I joined a local writers’ group and read one of my short stories. I brought no expectations to the meeting, deciding instead to let it flow. It went really well, and I even got some helpful critiques. Reaching out to others for help can sometimes be daunting if you’re used to working alone. But engaging in small ways, with no pressure, can be just enough to brighten the week.
Less Should, More Could: Lately I’ve been ripping away the barrier of should and replacing it with could. Could embraces possibility whereas should comes with a side helping of guilt. The balance is deciding what shoulds can take a back seat and what coulds can move up to the front. For example, I should do the laundry, but can it wait? Could I replace it with a walk or reading a good book or spending time with a friend? I recommend embracing possibility instead of locking yourself into the predictable or safe. Growth has been one of my goals this year, and by taking small steps, embracing could, and letting life flow, I’ve seen some progress. I’m loving the idea of small, reachable goals as a way to build towards something more grand.
Thrifty find! Anticipating Christmas: Instead of annoyance at the myriad holiday commercials and Christmas programs beginning to air on TV, I’m finding enjoyment in them. They are lifting my holiday mood. I never decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving. I like to leave space for each season of the year. But I have to admit, this year, as soon as our feast is finished, I’m beginning. It doesn’t hurt that I found this Santa at a flea market for ten dollars. The elves are throwing toys in my path! Gratefulness is filling my heart this season, and I want to embrace every moment.
Making a list like this is a great way to practice gratefulness, especially when there is so much abundance, if we only take the time to notice.
Thank you all for reading. I won’t be posting anything on Friday because of the holiday, but I’ll be back in early December. If you celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving full of love, family, and good food!
Until next time,
Jan
*Tea, Moon, and Santa photo by Jan M. Alexander © 2024
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