Seasons

The seasons are beginning to change.  September is a wonderful month where I live, because we get the best of summer and fall.

During this transition, the afternoons are warm and sunny, it stays light out until after supper, and the evenings are refreshingly cool.  Open windows are a luxury, and at night they provide the perfect sleeping temperature.

This time of year, I also begin to realize that winter is on its way.  I get way ahead of myself, imagining the projects I will work on once the snow falls and the days get shorter.  

The daydreaming can get a little out of control.

I think to myself, “Maybe I’ll do NaNoWriMo this year ,” (a one-month writing challenge, in which participants complete a novel, start-to-finish, in the month of November.)

Then, I consider going back to school.  I could add my administrator’s certification and pave the way for the next stage in my career.

Or maybe we could take a vacation.  I can plan some great trips when I’m spending imaginary cash.

But the truth is, I probably won’t have all of that extra time (or money).  Every year, the seasons seem busier, and shorter, than I remember.

Somehow, I tend to forget that fall and winter will bring multiple holidays, a heavy workload at school, and a variety of “things-to-do” that seem to take me by surprise, even when they are yearly occurrences.

This year, I’m going to do better.  My new goal is to slow down and stay in the moment.

In the immortal words of Ferris Bueller,”Life moves pretty fast.  If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”  (I love that line.)

Most likely, I’ll have time to write, but not necessarily as much time as I imagine.  On the other hand, I’ll be busy doing other activities that align with my priorities.  

Family and work will take precedence.  Part of living in the real world is making adjustments.

I’m going to enjoy the season I’m in, literally and figuratively.