With the festivities fast approaching, and the evidence of the more commercial and monetised element very apparent, I wanted to take time to reflect on what the season means to me. Where do I place my awareness? How have I come to interact and connect with this time, and how I am trying to do so with greater and greater integrity, aligned with my own values and beliefs?

I have been reflecting and musing. I have been sitting and allowing a deeper awareness to develop around my work, that part of myself and my offerings and service to the world. Sometimes words are restrictive and confining, finding language for that which has no label or category can be challenging. We can find ourselves using words that don’t quite fit in an effort to make things clear, which are then interpreted by the other in their own way.

The darkness of winter, and darkness in general, can be challenging.  For some it can seem daunting, disorientating or bring up thoughts and feelings of fear, of lack or perhaps loss. It can highlight that which feels dark or scary within us, places we don't care to see, parts that we want to ignore, things we don't want to remember, or how we feel about ourselves.

For many years I have connected with the lunar cycle, the changing phases of the moon. As we move through the months, years and phases of life we may notice patterns within ourselves, or how we interact and show up in the world.

Do you ever get an idea, an inspiration, and try to run with it only to find it doesn't come to fruition? I think we have probably all experienced moments of pushing and trying to bring something to life only to eventually admit it wasn’t the right idea, or the right moment.

What happens in the nothing? The potency and the gift, the peace itself? What is present in the rest?  

How many of us forget the power and potency of rest? How many of us sacrifice our peace for productivity, achieving and trying to get to somewhere (inwardly or outwardly)? I certainly do and when I remember the incredible gift of doing nothing I can find myself so fully immersed in the present moment that it is like someone switched on the light.

And just like that the heat and hustle and bustle subsided. It seemed to change so suddenly, moving us well and truly into the bounty and beauty of late summer. The long hot days and evenings, bare toes and jumper-less arms begin to fade. The timeless haze gives way to more structure and order as patterns and routines move into place, ready to be embraced with the fading light and cooling crisper days.

There are many times when themes seem to appear through sessions and in daily life. One such recent theme has been around doing! There seems to be a really strong drive towards doing, including achieving, becoming, improving and any other engagement in activities which are often goal driven. Several people have reflected to me that they are doing ‘all the right things’ but nothing is changing, they still feel the same.