Feeling restless and needing encouragement? Here are helpful words and a strategy for embracing a gentle transition from Summer to Fall.
Hi friend – how are you?
Me?
I’ve been taking my time.
Because?
That right there –
Taking my time…
is what my soul is craving, needing and asking for…in this moment.
How about you?
Do you need to take your time…getting into the next step?
Do you need a rare pause in your playbook before you flip to the next calendar day…or season?
Maybe it’s just me.
But I am not ready to rush.
And?
I think that is just fine.
Actually?
It’s more than fine.
I’ve been thinking a lot during my white space minutes during our family vacation…
While waiting for the sun to rise and the ocean to wash in the fresh start of a new day.
Breathing in the sea salt air sent from the depths of an ocean where a liquid horizon is born.
There is a tendency in this season…to rush things.
Perhaps even?
To force things.
And just as we cannot rush or force the sun to rise?
Instead are invited
To breathe in and wait on her.
Thinking back to those before sunrise, heart beats on the beach, soaking in the quiet softness of a seaside sunrise –
It’s as if you can almost hear the ocean waves whispering in the wait:
“Not yet.“
“She’ll show up when it’s time.”
On time.
It’s true that this week has been busy busy getting back into work mode after our family beach vacation.
And while my work calendar has been slammed with client consultations and Home with Heather business appointments…
My heart is taking it’s time softening into the next season.
And rather than Force myself into Fall?
I have decided to Fold into Fall.
I actually wrote about a similar sentiment about Fall exhaustion last year, HERE in this post.
It turns out this anticipation for what’s next is not a new emotion for me in this season.
The truth is?
I continue to learn that you can be ready for what’s next and rest into the right now moment at the same time.
Without rushing it.
While I am prepared and ready for the next day…I am still resting in the moments in front of me.
The trick is –
Resisting the hurried rush race that seems to want to hand you a bib number and inform you to take your mark at the starting gate.
Instead?
There is an invitation on the table.
To let August be August.
It’s as if the month of August is in the same conversation as the sunrise above.
Her warm golden hour sunset, whispering to Fall:
“Not yet.”
“I’ll let go soon enough…just not yet.
So, sit down, take a breath and relax.
Fold into the moment that is unfolding in front of you.”
– imaginary Whispers overheard from August to Fall
In other words?
What if we didn’t force Fall?
And instead allowed space and time for it to unfold at the right time?
What You Need To Know About Refusing To Rush – Folding into a Fall Rhythm
Have you ever noticed how some of the very best vacation days are the ones in which the day is not forced full of plans, but instead has a way of unfolding naturally?
Trust me.
I get that we can’t live the tone of vacation flexibility, every day in the thick of life.
But?
That tone of relaxing into readiness for whatever is next…and also resting into the right now minute?
It has a way of triggering trust.
A trust that, you can pause here and enjoy the scenery….and when the wave of what’s next reaches your feet?
You’ll be ready.
The next season that is stretched out, lying in wait, ahead of us…just past the breaking of the waves?
That water will reach us…and get it’s turn to crash onto the shore…
Just not yet.
So why not just enjoy what is washing up at our feet right now?
Honestly?
I felt the need to push back on the school supply lists we carried into Target this week.
The list feels forced with “must haves” for school season preparedness.
And so?
I granted our girls permission to pick out the necessities and then?
We can come back in due time, or order online as needed, once the school year unfolds and shows us what is necessary, versus what is forced upon us.
Perhaps there are a few things that may need some pushing back on in your own life.
Instead of falling into the forced nature of brushing forward?
Take your time.
After all…time is our most valuable currency…you get to decide how you are going to spend it.
Remember, you can be ready and rest in the right now moment at the same time.
Need help refusing the rush?
Try this.
Write a first draft of feelings you crave for your Fall season.
In other words –
Brain dump a list of the emotions you are thirsty for and want to give fresh life to this Fall.
I’ll go first.
First Draft of Fall Emotions
Patience.
Clarity.
Peace of mind.
Wholeness.
Sense of self.
Subconscious centeredness.
Self control.
Sound off.
Silence on.
Direction.
Think on your own first draft feelings for Fall friend.
And then?
Pray.
Sweet friend, prayer is like Jesus walking up to you and listening to your breath.
However quiet, however loud, sensitive or bold.
Jesus doesn’t flinch.
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:12-13 NIV
Let your prayers unfold and let yourself fold into a Fall rhythm…
that works for you.
And remember…
Take your time.
There is no rush.
Living on a prayer,
Heather
Oh, my goodness. This post will need to be a daily prayer for the rest of August. A gentle reminder of Prayer and Jesus listening to my breath. Praying as your fall unfolds that you continue to find more sweet moments to capture and treasure. I’m lingering right there with you…after I read this post to my husband…❤️
I am so glad to know this post resonated with you. Thank you for reading. XO
“Pray.
Sweet friend, prayer is like Jesus walking up to you and listening to your breath.
However quiet, however loud, sensitive or bold.
Jesus doesn’t flinch.”
I’ve been in a hard season recently, and these words felt like a much needed hug from God.
Thank you so much! 💖
Dear Heather:
Your words are such an inspiration and wonderful ideas on how we should live daily. God is Good and He is with us all the time. When He comes first, everything else falls into place.
Thank you, dear Heather
Aw thank you so much Margaret! You are the best. XO
Tina, I am so sorry to hear that it has been a tough season recently. I will be adding you to my prayer list. XO, Heather
Heather – thank you for your wonderful insight and calming words. I love reading your blog – you always speak from the heart and connect with your readers in such a truthful and calming way. Enjoy your last days of summer and get ready for a new beautiful fall. Love you.
Aw thank you so much Debbie!! Your words mean a lot to me!! I am so appreciative to have you in my life. XO
Needed this right now! I am in dread mode for fall! I feel like all is moving way too fast! (The older I get, time goes even faster). Trying to enjoy the present moment.
I received a fall order of clothing from Johnnie O (the order was placed 6 months in advance). at first I was in dread mode when I saw all the boxes, however once opened I had forgotten what beautiful colors were ordered for our guys for fall! So my mindset switched and I am going to embrace the colors of fall this year and thank God for his abundant beauty in nature.
I am so glad this post helped you and that you connected with it when you needed it!! I can totally relate to what you described! I hope Fall is going well at John’s! XOXO