Tag Archives: fall

Simple Joys on a Simple Fall Sunday

29 Sunday Oct 2017

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I’ve been going through She’s Still There by Chrystal Evans Hurst as part of an online bible study. Each time I sit down with that book, I realize I like her and her  insight even more (today I also listened to her talk about cultivating, curating and creating content for writing). As part of my devotion time today, I reflected on some questions at the end of chapter 12. The first question got the thoughts stirring about simple joys. Sunday feels like a great day to contemplate the little details that my senses can enjoy on this day of rest as well as every other day.
First I made a list of things that I can engage with my senses that make me smile. Considering just today, I came up with:
crisp, cool air: I missed fall last year since I was in Houston (yes, Houstonians, it truly does exist outside the magazines and movies), and I daydreamed about sweaters by late spring, which probably didn’t help me feel any cooler in that hellish Houston heat. This year, I bask in the cool air again and feel especially thankful for it. Especially this weekend as the cold has finally set in, it feels good to be cold again.
colorful leaves on the trees: This falls into the category I started above. Again, I didn’t witness fall last year, and that included the beauty of the trees changing colors. They truly do hold a beauty all their own, and the cool air only adds to the wonder of fall.
the yellow mums sitting on my desk on a plate with sea shells I gathered with my best friend Katrina in Galveston during her visit: Yellow is a joyful color, and flowers always add beauty to a room. The shells add another positive aspect with their memory association; they even come from a memory of a sunny day (probably the only time I enjoyed being outside in Texas…the ocean air made a tremendous difference).
music on my iPod: “Believe” by Hanson was playing as I made my list. My iPod contains a lot of music, and they reflect a lot of memories and emotions. It helps to hear expressions of feelings to which I can relate. Oftentimes, music gives words to what’s on my mind, and it keeps me from going too deeply into my head. It also reminds me that I’m not alone in my experiences.
candy corn pumpkins: My severe allergies have made it difficult for me to find my favorite Halloween candy for years. Persistence pays off though because after checking labels for years knowing each time I would most likely find the bags were possibly contaminated from my allergens in the factories, I finally found some safe candy corn pumpkins! Let’s just say I bought a few bags. Tonight I can enjoy them during my Sunday Ritual. After I paint my nails I can do Halloween weekend my style and watch Stranger Things while I eat pumpkins.
aromatherapy pillow mist on my pillow: I rested my eyes earlier and enjoyed the mist on my pillow. I thought aromatherapy from essential oils sounded hoaky when I first heard about it, but I reconsidered after I saw that Mayo Clinic agreed it could possibly help (any small improvement in mood is worthwhile). Last year I received a diffuser and essential oils and started using it. I enjoyed the different scents and how they seem to relax or lift my mind a little. This afternoon I rested as I inhaled the scent of eucalyptus and tea.
I agree with Chrystal Evans Hurst that simple joys matter. I’m glad that I took the time to fill in my blessings journal throughout the day today and that I took the time to do her reflection questions. It continued to serve as a starting point on staying positive and being open to God’s involvement and guidance in my life.

“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17

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Homecoming: Coming Home to a New City

15 Saturday Oct 2016

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Most high schools and universities celebrate Homecoming during October, while wearing formal attire at some places (and my dream recreations of it). I’ve never attended a homecoming event as an alumni, but I’ve never been far from my old schools in Missouri either. This year I’ve moved far away and miss the cities of my youth. My high school friends have even invited me to join them for our group’s latest game night get together. Unfortunately I won’t attend this round, but I know I’ll make my way back there soon. For now I’m building a new home.

Feeling like I’ve got a foundation for my new home has taken a while. I temporarily live with my dad after having an apartment to myself for six years, and I live 13 hours away by car from my closest friends (with the exception of my close cousin who has continuously welcomed me here). Mostly, I’ve learned I have to get out there myself to get plugged into places and communities where I can find activities and friends. Unfortunately it takes a while at a time when I could really use a friend, but the efforts start to pay off.

After visiting several churches, I’ve found one I’ve enjoyed enough to give a long term  try. I have found one more that I want to visit as well, and I sense that I’m close to deciding my new church home. That makes me feel like I can find a niche to use my gifts. That may mean trying a group or two again, yet I’m closer already. A lot of the churches here have good ESL programs since Houston has such a diverse population when it comes to first languages. Most places have devotions or handouts as well that give me potential venues for writing.

To make myself reach out a little more and have a bit of a long term goal and involvement, I’ve started a book club. So far it’s a small group since I don’t know many people, but they’re a part of my new home. I can share my love for books outside the shelves within my own walls. I’m getting out there, I’m getting involved, I’m building a home.

Then I can go back to my other for a homecoming event and have a new experience for coming home.

Fall Anticipation

10 Sunday Nov 2013

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I am thankful for fall and all that it brings and symbolizes. Leaves burst into color before they fall, leaving the trees bare against gray skies. Today I have seen a fire engine red against the blue sky during my walk to church. I keep catching myself admiring the beauty surrounding me as I enjoy the weather. October and November make for some of the best jogging conditions. Fall allows us to bask in its beauty.
Fall also allows us to anticipate the coming winter, a season some enjoy and to which others do not anticipate keenly. I personally rather like the coolness. Yet I understand why some don’t share my excitement. I too suffer from extra dry skin, and I don’t like worrying about driving conditions due to ice and snow. Yet even in the gray of winter, we have festivities to anticipate. Christmas and my birthday happen between eight days of each other. One perk to my parents being divorced is that my brother and I get to celebrate each occasion multiple times. There’s even the promise of a new year mixed in there. In the dead of winter, I do more celebrating than I do throughout the rest of the year combined. I have high hopes for my fall and winter events this year. They continue next week with the Justin Timberlake concert.
As the rest of the holidays approach shortly after that, I have some personal decisions to finalize. Decision-making is not my strong suit, and it doesn’t help that I do not possess a lot of clarity in regards to the direction. Yet I must rest assured that I take action for the best and that the situation will continue to get better no matter which location I pick first. It also helps that I have the previously mentioned festivities to enjoy during this time. Knowing I have some set plans, supportive people surrounding me, and celebrations to attend keeps me moving forward.
So the skies may turn gray soon. I may feel more gray about my decisions before they unfold after they take place. Yet color and celebration will occur throughout. My path is not all unknown or all hazy. I am thankful for the occasions I already anticipate and the ones that will present themselves once the other plans get set in motion.
Let’s be thankful for our upcoming festivities. Find an event or date to anticipate and enjoy the wait, knowing you will find contentment in it. Eager anticipation always balances out uncertainty.
I’m excited to see Justin Timberlake in nine days! What occasion are you eagerly anticipating?
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Serial Thankfulness

05 Tuesday Nov 2013

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My friend Meredith writes for Serial Optimist and has featured one of my photos in her recent article celebrating fall colors caught on Instagram. How I feel as a result of discovering my picture has been selected makes me feel thankful, a fitting sentiment for the month leading us to Thanksgiving.

I appreciate the recognition. Coincidentally, it involves a symbolism of surroundings taken for granted. These trees stand across the street from my work; I see them every day, drive by them. I even face them when I occasionally report for duty early enough to watch the sunrise. Yet I don’t often take in their natural beauty. Sometimes it takes special lighting to highlight the everyday quality.

All too often this happens in relationships with people as well. I have recently felt unappreciated, maybe more accurately unnoticed. Sometimes a simple thank you makes people feel their worth. In the last couple days, I have seen my photo appear in a special collection, and Lee Strobel, the author of The Case For Faith, the book I just finished, thanked me via Twitter for the recognition I gave him. It goes both ways. Even expressing thanks for seemingly expected or typical behavior reminds people that we care, that we notice.

As we continue to set aside time to contemplate which people, objects, and ideas for which we give thanks, let’s remember to show and tell people that we appreciate them. Let’s be thankful for the everyday details. Simply say, “Thank you.”

For a little inspiration on being thankful for nature during fall, check out “Favorite Fall Colors of Instagram” from Serial Optimist.

Feel free to follow my Instagram as well to see more of my photos. I enjoy my mornings and coffee and post several mug shots with positive notes to embrace the day.