I was recently listening to a podcast where the host/speaker was talking about her word for the year. For some context this was an old podcast, like several years old, and obviously it was early on in the year. She and her guest were friends and both had a word for the year and were giving their reasoning behind it. The idea is similar to what many of us do regarding New Year’s resolutions. But have you read any statistics on those? Or have you ever had one? They don’t usually stick! It prompted me to think perhaps I should adopt this new way of thinking each year as well. But it’s August, kinda late to the party for 2021 you know? Then I thought; wait, why can’t we have a word for each month? Or each season. Or each whatever we need!
At the same time, okay well obviously not the exact same time, but you know what I’m saying here! During the same span of days I was also reading a book by this same podcast host. There was a particular chapter that jumped out to me. Okay who am I kidding here, the whole dang book jumped out to me! Y’all it was SO good. If you follow me on Facebook you’ve likely seen my posts about it. I will reference the book below as well. You have to read it, I mean it!
Okay anyway, so while reading the book there was one chapter where I really got caught up. In it the author is describing a particular time in her life when she took an extremely fun trip with a dear friend of hers. This trip was a celebration of sorts, as this friend who was also an employee, would be moving on to new things in her life. While the author was having so much fun on this trip she was also grappling with the sadness of knowing this would be their last adventure like this. She even says at one point in the book “(I’m complicated y’all)” and I thought…SAME!
All of this was taking place during the last week of July for me and you know I’m always doing a lot of reflecting during the end/beginning of each month. August is full of birthdays in my family, both my husband and son were born in August. This year it also is bringing with it a week of fun in the sun in Wilmington, NC; a place that is incredibly near and dear to mine and my husband’s hearts. So, lots of cool things happening in August. But here is what else happens, everyone around me starts talking about FALL! And I hate it!
I don’t know when it happened. I was born and raised in Virginia, a state where we typically get to enjoy all four of the seasons. And for many years I loved that and I loved Fall! But sometime over the last several years I became a summer girl. I mean I love the sun, the heat, the humidity, the sweat….all. of. it. That also means that when it ends I get sad! So for me August brings on much anxiety because it is the beginning to the end of my favorite things. It really is silly if you think about it, I should be savoring it knowing that it means my summer days are drawing to a close. But instead, all I can think about is the fact that it’s going to be over and I get stuck in the sad.
Do you do that too? Get stuck in the sad? I think recognizing it is the biggest step to self recognition I’ve made in a while. I actually think that my next blog post will be on that topic because both of these things were whirling around in my head at the same time. How many times have I preached about time being precious and living each day to the fullest and all the cliches….yet here I sit, stuck in my sad! It really is the silliest place in the world to be when you know why you are there.
So my reflection on this month changing is that I need a word for the month, or maybe a phrase. That’s it for me this time, for August, a phrase; and mine is “Don’t Rush”. I may actually go so over the top with this that I take a few weeks away from Facebook just because that seems to be the driver of so much of my anxiety. Not everyone, in fact no one, has to share my perspective and that’s okay. But that doesn’t mean that I have to share theirs. If you love fall, and bonfires, and pumpkin and all things Halloween…then great! I will love them too, when I’m ready for them, and for me that is when September, October and November get here. Until then I will enjoy my August, my sun, my heat and all that makes my heart happy. But don’t rush away your hours, your days, your months just to get to what you want the next season to be. Take some time to just be in the season you are in and all that it has for you. While you are busy rushing you never know what you will miss!
~Carla
As promised see below for the link to the book referenced!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54080858-that-sounds-fun
Oh and PS, I’ve been toying with the idea of converting this blog into a podcast?! What do y’all think??? Please message me and let me know!
Arise and Glow 