The Body Practice

Dear Buddies,

Autumn approaches and the first cool of the Seasonal year has arrived in town.  It is glorious to have a break from the beating heat of the South Texas sun.  Living here, you pretty much prepare to be hot the whole year with gifts of coolness delivered occasionally. 

The front is just on time to welcome in the Autumnal Equinox.  Tomorrow marks a time of equality between day and night, calling forth the coming of Winter.  This is a time of balance and introspection as the sun’s changes call us into our homes, close to our families and closer even to our own selves.  That time of year when the bear prepares to enter her den for her nap, the time when the trees drop their leaves and blanket the ground, when the butterflies emerge from their coccoons and make their way to warmer climates and the time when geese sing their sky-high songs as they trek South. 

 This is my favorite time of the year because it is like a doorway to the Winter when we tend to draw close to our loved ones and think back to the traditions of yesteryear.  I feel young and frisky in the cool breeze and find thankfulness for the past season’s blaze with an outdoored chilled Summer-sunned shoulder. 

 My home begins to call to me more, like my own bear’s den.  I tend to this corner or that.  Straightening my nightstand with books of inspiration.  Putting potpourri on the stove to scent the entire house with spice and sweet vanilla.  I bring in treasures from the outdoors to remind me of the beauty of Mother Nature.

Yesterday found me at the coast, driving the beaches with their storm shaped dunes.  I marveled at the strenghth of Ike.  It hit so far North of us and yet the waters it displaced haave changed the face of our beaches. Not only did it carve away at the dunes and make unusual sandbars in the surf, but it has taken some landmarks that served to stir my memories as well. 

It was only days before the storm that Hubby and I stole away to the picnic tables along one stretch of sand, late at night to watch the stars and satellites make their lighted trek across the sky.  Those places of sanctuary have all been wiped away.  The places where I sunned my toddler toes and flirted with adolescent highs and lows, where I last kissed my lover under moon-lit sky, the pic-nic benches along the shore….good-bye, good-bye. 

And so with a forward looking heart, I peer ahead to the year’s close end.  What shall I make the focus of this season?  I am holding fast to claims of health and wellness.  Determined to improve my financial state with the pursuit of a better paying, better benefits job.  Endulging in the family that has drawn so close to me this year.  And reaching out to friends….sowing seeds of love. 

And if I find myself looking forward, from here I might better find myself looking back.  The gifts of this year have been so many.  Gratitude for body strength, for a sharp mind proven by my good grades and heightened intrigue for the subjects I study; grateful still for a room mate to share our home with and for the match there that feels like family; for walking down the stairs in the morning without pain in my feet, legs or knees; for food in the fridge and wisdom in the kitchen; for fur babies to hold and cuddle; gratitude that the state of the economy has me honing my skills a home maker and wise woman…and oh so much more! 

Graditude for this place…Buddy Slim.  In the good times and in the bad, I get to decide how I will react.  I can always take what I like and keep the rest.  I will keep all I am grateful for and bless the rest. 

 Thank each of you for your part in my journey, for your wise counsel, for your days of jest, for sharing your pains, woes, and wonderment!

With sincerity,

Rae