Time For...Cool Change

By Carol Woolum Roberts

As I sit down to write my blog posts, song lyrics seem to go through my head.  Last week it was the song “For the Beauty of the Earth”.

This week it is the Little River Band song “Cool Change”.  It is a song about a guy who wants to make a change and go out and spend time sailing on a boat in the ocean.

I feel the same way.  Except I don’t want to sail on a boat.

I want to sit in my garden. And enjoy my garden, enjoy the beautiful space Paul and I have created.

Yesterday’s “Create Quiet” retreat was a reminder of the beautiful space Paul and I have, and how I haven’t taken advantage of it as much this summer as I have in the past. It is always so wonderful to have people in your garden for six hours, and to see the space through their eyes.  It is so encouraging and makes me realize what a truly beautiful and peaceful garden we have created.

Yes, I have spent time in the gardens, but it usually consisted of deadheading, weeding, picking vegetables or flowers….more of the work in the garden.  Now, don’t get me wrong…I love the work part. 

But I need a Cool Change.

I need to be more intentional of taking 20 to 30 minutes to go and sit in one of our many sitting areas and just sit.  And while sitting, pay attention to what is going on around me.  See. Listen. Smell. Touch. Taste. Quiet my mind.  Quiet my soul.  Quiet my spirit.

The ability to make this change is mine.  Recovery from busy times takes longer to rebound from than it used to ten years ago.

This fall we have a somewhat built-in excuse for change.  Paul and I are both performing in “Arsenic and Old Lace” at our local theater. Paul is also directing. Starting next Monday, most evenings, Monday through Thursday, will be taken up at play rehearsals through opening night on November 3^rd.

I have a few other evening events, but most of the calendar now reads PLAY REHEARSAL.

As we head officially into autumn soon, I look forward to a slower schedule, more time inside, and more time sitting outside enjoying the beauty around me.

I can feel the cool change in the air….and I am ready.

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Do you feel the need to slow down and make a “Cool Change” in your life?  Tell us how you might make that change.

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