Fall Reflections

Reader

I can’t believe we are well into Fall already!

In past years fall has been a season that I mentally pass over. I would spend so much time mourning summer and it's warm sunny days while I dreaded the approach of cold winter days, that I'd often not allow myself to be present in the beauty of the transition of fall. Before I knew it the holiday season was here..... and I wasn't ready. It sent me into a spiral of overwhelm and the act of trying too hard to catch up.

I'm finding this year is different. After struggling physically, mentally, and emotionally for much of the year, I'm finally feeling normal again. This has caused me to reflect and transition into new changes much better than years past.

God is so good!

He is faithful to teach us through our HARD seasons if we are only willing to listen and learn. This year I sat at his feet and listened! AND.....oh my was there learning.

Interestingly He continued to teach me about slow growth and how our soul growth seasons mimic the calendar and plant growth seasons.

The Fall Season of Reflection:

Here's how I'm NOW choosing to see the fall season….

》I'm choosing for this to be a time of reflection; harvesting the blessings of lessons learned and the hard work endured.

》 I'm choosing to be present in the now; to savor the time of transition.

》I'm choosing to have a mindset of celebration instead of dread for the season to come.

》 I'm choosing to be gentle on myself and evaluate my true capacity; setting boundaries to prevent future overwhelm.

The transition of fall is a time to reflect on old/past rhythms, celebrate the harvest of lessons learned, and prepare for a new season of winter rest.

Oh yes! That season of winter that brought dread before, I'm now looking forward to. Instead of resisting it I want to embrace it as a time of rest. This is something I'll be sharing more about later on.

Whatever season you're in right now, press into the Father's love, into Jesus' example, and the Holy Spirit's leading. Don't resist your current season as I have done but immerse yourself in the NOW. Embrace the journey.

Melissa's 5 Favorites

Each week I give my Facebook group a chance to share highlights of their week with FRIDAY 5 prompts. Now I want to share my favorite things HERE with you! These are practical things that are helping me in my daily/ weekly rhythms. Sometimes these are things I'm just starting and loving or sometimes they are things "tried and true" that I just can't help but want to share with you.

I will often spotlight people, podcasts, books, music, or products that I love so I will provide links. These may contain affiliate links, meaning I may or may not get compensation if you decide to make a purchase through the links I share, at no cost to you. Most of what I share are NOT affiliates but simply the things I love and implement in my life rhythms.

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ONE

SCRIPTURE, SONG, OR INSPIRTION QUOTE

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12

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This scripture came from one of my morning devotions this week in The YouVersion Bible App.

Quotes from the devotional: (Parenthesis my words)

TWO

BOOK OR PODCAST

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​PODCAST- GRIT N’ GRACE THE PODCAST ​

I’m so excited that this podcast has relaunched! This was one of my favorites when I began my love for podcasts several years ago. Since then the host Cheri Gregory has become a “real life” mentor as I’ve integrated into her group Sensitive & Strong.

This podcast has a refreshing approach to verbally processing the GRIT of life from the biblical perspective of GRACE. If I were to describe this podcast in one word it would be RELATABLE. I encourage you to give Episode 270, the Re-Launch Episode, a listen!

THREE

FOOD, RECIPE, OR PRODUCT

INNER DEFENSE SUPPLEMENT

Two of the four in our household were sick this week. I was blessed to be one of the two spared. BUT….. I immediately began supporting my body and immune system with this GEM of a supplement. This is a supplement that I try to keep on hand for this very reason. It can be used as a preventative measure as well as support to getting you back on your feet.

Click below for my Young Living Immune Support Stack .

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FOUR

RHYTHM OR ROUTINE

JUST WALKING DAILY!

Despite many attempts to begin strength training again (Sometimes the attempts don’t go any further than a visualization in my head. Just being real!) I have just been practicing the rhythm of walking 1.5 miles (roughly 35 minutes, 4000 steps). This is my micro step rhythm before eventually adding on strength training again.

If you struggle to reach a goal……HERE IS YOUR PERMISSION to step back and take a micro-step first. Make this your rhythm before adding another step toward your ultimate goal.

FIVE

NURTURING THOUGHT/ BREATH PRAYER

FIVE: NURTURING THOUGHT

“TRY SOFTER” -

This is something Cheri Gregory tells us all this time in The Sensitive & Strong Community. This simply means -don’t try so hard, or as I have often said in my own coaching, Give yourself GRACE. I still have to remind myself of this often.

Here are two of her books that I recommend if you want to know more about this concept.

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You Don’t Have to Try So Hard

​https://www.amazon.com/You-Dont-Have-Try-Hard/dp/0736974016​

Sensitive and Strong :A Guide for Highly Sensitive Persons and Those Who Love Them

​https://www.amazon.com/Sensitive-Strong-Guide-Highly-Persons/dp/0736969233​

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FEEL FREE TO HIT REPLY AND SHARE YOUR 5 FAVORITE THINGS WITH ME.