LIFE STEPS COACHING

The Autumn season is upon us! In the bay area this means lots of warm, brilliant sunshine; easy, calm breezes; the appearance of root vegetables, stone fruits and of course pumpkins in all shapes and sizes. For me, a sense of abundance and satiation are inherent in the Autumn season. It feels celebratory, colorful, ripe, very earthy, and nourishing. Just looking to nature, we can see colorful final bursts in foliage before leaves fall, we can see little white-tailed deer have lost their spots and antlers have begun to grow, and daylight patterns change. In the story told by the seasons of the year, Autumn is the climax before the denouement.

Seasonal Markers
The change of season serves as a wonderfully reliable quarterly structure within which we can reflect on our own lives. We have the opportunity to grow wiser in what we learn about ourselves through careful musing. This takes some work, just like collecting ripe fruit from a tree. Start mapping your own life against the wisdom of the seasons. For instance, what do you notice about yourself, your inner world, as the outside world around you begins to shift? What do you smell in the air when you head outside? What's happening to your sleep patterns and energy levels? What sorts of food does your body crave? What types of excercise is your body asking for? I encourage you to take notice of these subtleties in general, and specifically to see what patterns have a tendency to correspond to the change in season.

Fall
Given this is the Fall, take a look at are you harvesting this season. Need some clues as to where to start with all of this! Why not start with your mind and emotions: What do you spend your down-time thinking about these days? What are your thoughts and feelings focused around? Where have you been putting your spare energy? After you've gotten an overview here, begin to ask: What seeds were planted early this year that are now ready for harvest? What changes were initiated in this year of my life that are coming to fruition? Notice what it is about how you know when something in your life is ready to harvest.  What in your life needs more tending before it will ripen? Don't forget to observe these questions in all areas of your life, not just your career. For example, how about the relationships in your life, your eating and exercise habits, the rooms in your home or apartment, or your spiritual practice.