The End of Summer. . . Beginning of Fall.

The end of summer means the beginning of fall.  At this time, the days begin to get unbearably hot and uncomfortable, summer has run its course.  It is time for a change. Fall approaches and brings fresh air that is easy to breathe in. This season lavishes with color that not only shows beauty but signifies the preparation of better things to come.  There is certain energy and magic in the air. "How can this be?" You ask, “It looks like the death to me.” I tell you, “The end of one thing always means the beginning of another.  It is the cycle of life.  What looks like death is more of a transition onward and upward.”  So many people get lifted into the magic of this season and most have fond memories associated with fall.  I can imagine my house as a child. My mother has green beans in the canner while some that remain are in the crock-pot with home-grown potatoes and locally raised ham.  My mother herself,  is knee deep in our toys asking us to separate into piles..... keep....toss....and donate/garage sale.  Upon my sister and I saying "Hey! I forgot we had that!"  My mother replies, "It's amazing what you find when you clean!" Once the sorting is finished, shelves are wiped down, floors are vacuumed and every toy is in it's rightful place, moving furniture is contemplated.  The cross breeze of the open windows carries the stagnant air outward and replaces it with fresh, clean air. It drafts the smell of ham, green beans and potatoes to my nose; oh how that smell gets me excited about dinner!  I anticipate the sound of a brand new jar of homemade apple butter being opened.  I am instructed to "buzz over" on the intercom to tell grandma and grandpa (who lived in our barn that we made into an apartment) that ham, green beans and potatoes are ready!  Birds are singing and all is well with my soul as I meet grandpa halfway in the driveway to deliver their meal!   

I challenge you to make this time of year a time to simplify!  Rid your life of junk that makes day to day life a hassle.  Enrich your spirit with things that put a smile on your face and make you feel productive.  If it isn't working, sometimes tearing things out completely, putting new processes in place and reorganizing is what you need! Create new energy within your home and in turn it will energize your being! This simplification will leave time for what really matters in life!