Autumn Manifesto
Posted on | September 11, 2009 | 15 Comments
Following the lead of Rachel and Tracy, I enjoyed their thoughtful manifestos so much. Autumn is my favorite season and is usually accompanied by a flurry of activity, plans and resolutions perhaps because of my childhood association with the beginning of the school year. Their posts encouraged me to pause and think about what I truly want out of Autumn this year, and as it turns out, it’s not a host of new projects or things to learn or accomplishments.
This season, I will enjoy the slow burn of fall here in North Carolina, the lingering heat of summer that has lost it’s humidity, the brilliant reds that began to appear on the maples at the very start of September – the turning of one species of tree at a time, it seems, continuing on through November. I will enjoy each one and it’s individual colors like little gifts. I will not take on too much in my annual Autumn anticipation. I will have the satisfaction of slowly finishing some lingering projects with care, taking time out when I feel rushed or stressed by my own internal pressures. I will hike whenever possible and I will walk in the woods when I cannot get to the mountains. I will celebrate another year with my best friend, quietly and happily. This fall, I will drink tea again in the evening, and not just as a salve when I am upset. When there is a chill in the air, I will wrap myself in a family sweater, with love and gratitude. I will scritch our furry children every chance I get, and spend quiet time with our boy especially, hoping that somehow he understands that we have done the very best we can. I will not wish away this Autumn with too much contemplation of what’s to come, I will spend time on the porch with Tad just reflecting on all the awesome things about our here and now. I will enjoy live music, walk to a tiny venue in the chill evening air, and I will gather the courage to tell a musician “Thank you”. I will spend time with friends, old and new, and think about their impact on my life. And I will try to reflect that back to them. I will make jam, and roast tomatoes (because I want to), and now that it’s cool enough to open the windows, maybe I will finally paint the hall (because I should and I will feel immensely satisfied when I do). I will turn off the computer more often, and I will take the time to make more pictures, more thoughtfully. I will allow myself the space to take things slowly, and continue to work on being patient with myself. There is time to enjoy the process, to absorb all the thoughts and inspiration, this and every season.
What are YOUR plans for this lovely Autumn-to-be?
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Now playing: Chuck Ragan – For Goodness Sake
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15 Responses to “Autumn Manifesto”
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September 11th, 2009 @ 10:35 pm
thank you for this, mel.
September 12th, 2009 @ 9:00 am
Ah fall September and October are my favorite months of the year. You’ve captured a lovey vision in your manifesto.
My plans are to take the time to enjoy Autumn’s beauty on many hikes and walks.
September 12th, 2009 @ 3:14 pm
I will try to be more patient. This is probably at the top of my list for all time. I have other plans too but if I list them, the rebel in me will work very hard to crush them.
September 12th, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
Very lovely…my plans are to use my bike to get around, thereby enjoying the autumn colors and smells more, getting some exercise, and using my car less.
September 13th, 2009 @ 6:59 am
I plan on being outside as much as possible, playing catchup, and moving.
Should be busy, full of change, and full of good.
I love autumn.
September 14th, 2009 @ 4:16 am
mel, thanks for sharing this.
i hope you can keep up with what you want to do and what you want to enjoy this autumn. xo, k.
September 14th, 2009 @ 8:15 am
What an incredibly inspiring list Mel! Some things I aspire to do:
I too want to be more in the moment and not always worrying about the future, and to take lovely crisp Fall walks,to spend more time calling the folks I love that live far away, to spend more time singing and playing the piano-perhaps even learning a new instrument,learn to enjoy cooking more, get back into yoga properly and of course plenty of knitwear design!
September 14th, 2009 @ 9:56 am
Very inspiring!
I want to sit on my porch and in my backyard, under cozy shawls and blankets if chilly, and watch my almost boy run around.
I want to keep my house cleaner and more organized, starting with the craft area, linen/medicine/pile of junk closet and my office.
I want to bake bread.
But most of all, by the time Christmas comes, I want to NOT have said, “next year, I’ll be less busy and have time to ….” I don’t want the last few weeks of fall to zoom by.
September 14th, 2009 @ 10:28 am
I hope you do get up the courage to thank a musician. We musicians REALLY appreciate it.
September 14th, 2009 @ 12:47 pm
Lovely. Thank you for sharing this.
September 14th, 2009 @ 12:48 pm
This is wonderful, and so thoughtful! I should drink more tea.
September 16th, 2009 @ 7:28 pm
Such a beautiful post Mel. I think we should all include slowing down and having more patience in our manifesto–it’s definitely the one way to truly enjoy the season and not let it pass by! I wish you luck accomplishing that this fall!
September 17th, 2009 @ 8:31 am
ohhh… you’ve inspired me as well! I’m going to sit on this for a few hours and come back to my blog and do the same!
Thanks for sharing your words… I love these kind of thoughtful/though-provoking posts!
September 24th, 2009 @ 1:00 pm
Nice. And you know what? If the boy you speak of is your wonderful dog, he knows. He absolutely knows and appreciates and I’m sending big huge doggie vibes to you all.
September 25th, 2009 @ 9:37 am
How lovely. I am so stealing this theme, Mel. Myself, I’ll be making more apple crisp, and sitting outside, knitting mittens and hopefully taking long weekend drives through Western Maryland to enjoy this autumn.