....cycles

Yogis,
The raking season has begun…..

I raked the front yard at home and then spent dedicated time at the beach this weekend gathering and pushing heavy piles of leaves to the street. This is only the beginning. A first pass.

There is something about raking, and fall in general, that reminds me of the cyclical nature of life. How everything, including these leaves I move mindfully to protect my back, is created, enjoys a life span and comes to an eventual end. Everything.

This year it is hitting me in a somewhat different way. That even the things we most enjoy may at some point become something we are meant to release. Perhaps it is because I sit here surrounded by bubble wrap, packing paper and moving boxes. In a month our 1926 beach cottage will begin its transformation with an addition and remodel and while I am excited, there is also a sadness.

For twenty-two years I have loved the house just the way it is. Old pine floors, a powder room where you hold your knees in close not to bump the sink as you sit, and corner closets that if you are lucky, can hold a couple hanging shirts. We hosted numerous Thanksgiving dinners for up to twenty and fit the visiting kids in the bunk room with sleeping bags and mattresses. The house has done her job for us beautifully.

Yet life is changing and wanting to spend more time here has pushed us to let go of how things are and embrace what lies ahead. Still keeping the cottage charm we will be able to spread our wings, and our cramped living room furniture, a bit more.

This happens with everything. I had a volunteer role I adored until it suddenly  began to feel like a chore. We may lose passion for a lifelong hobby. A career feels stuck. Our interests, food choices, what we read, our clothes…..all live within this natural and inevitable cycle of life. The challenge is recognizing the time to let go and move on.

I better get back to packing.

Only when we release is there room for new,
SARAH