Taken from October 2022 Newsletter
Just Keep Growing…
We’re moving into Autumn with the change of the clocks at the end of this month, the nights are drawing in and often when it comes to this time of the year, it feels natural to follow the cycle of nature and hibernate a bit. Like nature, the summer’s excitement gives way to a more mellow Autumn. But mellow doesn’t mean completely shut down or switch off. Although nature looks asleep in Autumn and Winter, it’s just doing it’s thing underground and out of sight; adapting, consolidating, gathering back strength and awaiting it’s time to leap forth from the hidden into the light of Spring next year.
And so my suggestion for October is to consider how you could grow (yourself) this Autumn in anticipation of the coming year, when you can shine forth even stronger than before.
*What qualities would you like to cultivate?
*What parts of you have you lost that you would like to reclaim?
*What skills have fallen to the wayside because of adult responsibilities, that you yearn to try?
Why now? – you ask? Argh… Can’t it wait?
One of the longevity secrets and Alzheimer prevention strategies is to keep growing. Most people misunderstand this, and think that “being active” is sufficient. It’s actually not, the secret is to move that activity on a little bit over time. Up the difficulty, learn something new or to a deeper level. That’s why social gaming like playing cards, scrabble, mah-jong are a longevity activities – it fulfils 2 wellbeing criteria: social connection and growth (through the competitive element of the games).
To adapt Dory’s mantra from Finding Nemo, instead of “just keep swimming”, we need to adapt it to the mantra of “just keep growing, just keep growing”. (In case you want to sing it Just keep swimming )
Oh I know that our comfort zones are er… comfortable! That’s why we like them! But you don’t have to try anything too daring or big. Sometimes the things you need to grow are your capacity for rest, sleep, spaciousness and silence! These too are longevity secrets!
The “just keep growing” mantra is not pressure laden. It’s not about forcing yourself against your will. Growing isn’t a chore, it’s natural and a thing of beauty!
You already know from previous newsletters my desire to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – due to a few unrelated injuries I’m learning this slowly over time (consistency builds momentum, but go at your own pace)
I am currently taking an online class in Sufi dance -which combines my love of the words of Rumi, spirituality, whirling (dervish), dancing and rebalancing the feminine.
Growing is so easy even babies do it! Let’s grow towards the end of the year!
Love ,
Sharon x