September Equinox & Making it Count

Yesterday, the Sun crossed the celestial equator heading south. ?

In the Northern Hemisphere, this signified the Autumn Equinox and the beginning of Fall, as our friends South of the equator step into Spring.

Indigenous cultures recognized earth-based wisdom and allowed themselves the grace to slow down and check in with themselves during these transitional periods (Winter Solstice, Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox). Today we live in uncertain times sprinkled with illness, division and fear, surrounded by a LOUD culture that celebrates hustle, sweat and grind. It's no wonder so many of us have lost our way!

Changing seasons are key points in the cycle of life in nature, and within this cycle many ancient cultures perceived a powerful deeper message for humanity.

The equinox acts as the perfect reminder to honor the balance and interaction of opposites, check in with yourself spiritually, and ask yourself what could make the rest of this day, this week, and this year truly count.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TODAY TO START YOURSELF ON A NEW PATH?

In politics they say the first 100 days of any governing party sets the tone for the rest of its tenure. Well friends, we have just 99 days left to show 2021 what we've got!

This also happens to be the same approximate amount of time that it takes for a new behavior to become automatic, for a new habit to form.

Reevaluate your life. Prioritize your sleep. Start a new morning ritual. Get back in the habit of reading and journaling.

STOP CONSUMING. START CREATING.

Take a social media break. Clean out the closet. Call three people you love.

Plant a tree. Surprise your kids with a nature trip. Do something NEW. Something adventurous. Something WILD.

We are the only true experts on our journey to fulfillment, happiness and enlightenment. While you might have a lot of people offering guidance and telling you what you need to be healthier/happier/wiser (fill in the blank)...

Always make sure to filter the information through your own heart.

Take just a second today, or better yet work it into your schedule once a week, and evaluate where you are vs. where you want to be. Things shift daily, and that's OK! We're all works in progress on this journey called life.

Rate yourself on a scale of 1-10 in the following areas. Then set some goals to move the needle up across the major areas of your life.

• Health - how's your sleep? your personal energy? tension in the body and mind? do you eat well, feel good in your body, keep active, and have tools to manage any illness/health conditions that may rise up?
• Family - are you nurturing your closest relationships?
• Social - are you developing a sense of connection and belonging along with a well-developed support system?
• Intimate Relationships - do you check in with each other often? how's your communication? do you feel loved?
• Mission / Work / Purpose- do you find personal satisfaction and enrichment in your work?
• Finances - are you satisfied with where you're at financially?
• Adventure - do you do things that scare you? see new places? try new things?
• Hobby - what do you have that lights you up and gets your creative juices flowing? what did you do when you were a kid, that you could get back in touch with? dancing? playing? how about trying breathwork, meditation, painting, or journaling? maybe join a book club?!
• Spirituality - do you have a strong sense of purpose and meaning centered around your own values and beliefs?
• Emotion - Do you have coping mechanisms to self-regulate life's every day stressors, challenges and joys? Do you find yourself in an overreactive state often, or are you pretty calm cool and collected?

These dimensions are interconnected and all contribute to balanced, vibrant living. Become aware of where you're at and where you'd like to be, then set some goals, form some new habits, and begin to make daily choices?that will lead you to a more successful existence.

We've got this! ??