Autumnal Equinox & Seeking Balance in Life~

Photogenic Drawing-LacockAbbey 209

As always I find a sense of peace when I practice yoga with an accomplished teacher. I’ve been feeling weary the past week with the temptation to skip my practice. However, I know that no matter how resistant I feel, yoga helps me find energy, reset my psyche and body, and to re-calibrate my balance with life.

Today my instructor reminded me that tomorrow we celebrate the Autumnal Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, when we experience 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness – a perfect balance in our universe, equal parts sun and moon.  By October 23^rd the days will gradually become shorter and I will begin preparing for my hibernation that will follow when the leaves drop from the trees and shrubs, frost covers the ground and branches, and cold permeates my feet and creeps into my soul until the rebirth of Spring re-awakens all that surrounds me.

Photogenic Drawing -Lacock Abbey 2009

The Autumnal Equinox can also signal a time of endings and new beginnings, of letting go of what no longer serves us and embrace something new – be it a hairstyle, a job, a significant other, a resentment, a disappointment or a fear. It is a time to give thanks for an ample harvest, the love of family and friends, and to feel gratitude for our blessings.

Whenever the seasons change I become reflective and consider whom I am, where I have been and how far I’ve come in the last 57 years on this earth.

Last week I had the good fortune to enjoy a lunch date with two coworkers and friends including the dynamic woman who hired me for my current employer nearly 15 years ago. We’ve both reached a place in life where finding a work life balance and a life / life balance is more important than climbing the corporate ladder.  As I drove my friend to the train station we discussed how fortunate we are that we can let go of things we cannot control and enjoy the successes we have attained without craving more.

And that is the greatest gift of life! If we are lucky we find a modicum of wisdom that allows us to let go, accept what is, laugh, embrace our blessings, celebrate the benefits we’ve fought hard to attain, and live a life that is balanced with work, family and personal enjoyment – each facet of ourselves having a sacred place within us that we will not sacrifice.

Namaste y’all!