September – a new month and a new season

Have you ever gone outside and noticed that the sky changes just before a new season starts? The sky in the fall actually changes to a deeper blue as the sun lowers its angle and the air becomes drier. The change is not extreme; it is a gradual shift. These changes are not really detectable unless you are seeking them out. It is the beginning of September, and I am starting to notice the shift in the sky on my morning walks. The sun comes up later. The sky is less hazy or milky blue and it catches my attention.

Have you ever noticed that as you try to make some life changes, it seems like it is a slow, gradual process? It doesn’t seem to come overnight. It is subtle, almost undetectable. Then you notice. You have started prioritizing some things that you were not before – your sleep, what you are eating, engaging in some physical activity, practicing gratitude, and being mindful in family moments, and in subtle ways, you start to notice a shift. You start to see improvement in your overall wellbeing, your optimism about life, and you feel happier. Just like noticing those changes to the sky, we will miss them if we are not seeking them out – mindfully viewing our progress. What might be subtle things that change in us? We may notice that we feel more relaxed, our ability to cope with stress is moving from overwhelm to active awareness of it, and we start to see the ripple effect of our changes starting to appear in all areas of our life. We feel hopeful and capable. Our self talk becomes better and more kind. We feel like we are moving in a good direction.

In a world that seems to constantly tell us to hurry through everything, these subtle moments are vital. Stress, at times, is necessary for us to stretch and grow. Overly stressful processes can block our capacity to be mindful.

For September, how could being more mindful of positive subtle change benefit you? Here are three things to incorporate this month to assist you:

1. Physical Health – Prioritize one area – sleep, eating nutritiously, moving your body, or drinking more water. What is changing for you? How is it improving your life?

2. Mental Health and Emotional Well-being – Prioritize one area – practicing mindfulness, cultivating gratitude, setting small goals, connecting with others, or learning to say “no” to energy-draining activities or people. What is changing for you? How is it improving your life?

3. Daily Routine – Prioritize one area – starting your day with gratitude (prayer, journaling, connection), plan ahead for your day, embrace new experiences that come along, or limit your screen time. What is changing for you? How is it improving your life?

Those questions are the same – because that is how we start to notice what is growing. Are you seeing it? Just like noticing the sky and its subtle changes, we must look at the progress we are making, even if it is just incremental. Each step is moving us forward to continual thriving and flourishing – if we don’t notice it, we just might miss that we are growing. Tomorrow, spend some time with the sky and notice its glorious changes – and see for yourself the value in that subtle process.

September marks the beginning of a new month and a new season. You can be mindful of your own progress—and please give yourself credit for the small yet powerful changes you are making.

My thoughts are with you in this journey!

Coach Lisa