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From Light to Darkness: Embracing the Longer Shadows and the Thinning Veils of Autumn

As October fades into November, there is a noticeable shift in the world around us. The days shorten and the nights stretch longer, casting a twilight hue over our daily routines. Shadows lengthen, and the sun’s journey across the sky seems fleeting. For many, this seasonal change is more than just a visual phenomenon—it is a time of transition that carries with it layers of symbolism, mystery, and a touch of the mystical.

The Long Shadows of Autumn

October is a month of vibrant colors and golden light, but it is also the beginning of a journey toward darkness. As the Earth tilts, the sun’s path across the sky lowers, casting longer shadows and giving everything a softer, almost ethereal glow. It is a time to slow down and take notice of the details that might go unseen in the full glare of summer sunlight.

There is a certain magic in those long shadows. They have a way of stretching out the day, as if trying to hold on to the light just a little bit longer. Inevitably, we edge closer to the darker, colder months, and this transition feels like the world is preparing to rest, to conserve its energy and hibernate.

The Thinning of the Veils

This moment between October and November has long been associated with the “thinning of the veils”—a poetic way of describing the idea that the boundary between the physical world and the spiritual realm becomes less distinct. Cultures around the world have their own ways of acknowledging this thinning. From Halloween and Samhain to Día de los Muertos, there is a shared sense that this is a time when the unseen lures closer, and the world is a little more open to mystery.

It is no coincidence that these traditions focus on honoring the dead and self-reflection on the past. As the natural world prepares for dormancy, we are also prompted to look inward. The longer nights encourage us to slow down, to be still, and to listen to things that might otherwise go unnoticed. It is a time to reconnect—with ourselves, with others, and perhaps with something greater than what we can see and touch.

Light Into Darkness: Embracing the Transition

The transition from October into November is a passage from light into darkness. While this might sound ominous, there’s beauty in it. Darkness has its own kind of clarity; it helps us focus, be more mindful, and appreciate the warmth and light when it does appear. This shift is a gentle reminder to conserve energy and reduce undue labor, not just for nature but for us, too.

Practical Tips for Embracing the Thinning of the Veils

  1. Create a reflection Ritual: Take some time each evening to reflect on the day. Light a candle, write in a journal, or simply sit quietly and observe the shift from light to darkness.
  2. Connect with the Natural World: Go for a walk during sunset and notice the changing light, the lengthening shadows, and the chill in the air. Allow yourself to feel a part of this larger transition.
  3. Celebrate the Darkness: Embrace the longer nights by creating cozy, warm spaces. Light a fire, wrap up in a blanket, and enjoy a hot drink. This is a time to rest and restore.
  4. Honor Your Ancestors: Consider adopting a small ritual to remember those who have passed. It could be as simple as lighting a candle in their memory or sharing stories about them with loved ones.

For Your Consideration:

The period from October into November is not only about losing light; it is about finding beauty in the dark. The thinning veils remind us that there is more to life than what is visible, and the lengthening shadows teach us to appreciate the subtle, silent moments. So, as we move deeper into autumn, let us allow ourselves to slow down, to see what the shadows reveal, and to find comfort in this gentle, quiet space between the worlds.

Okay, your turn:

What does this time as October slides into November mean to you? Do you observe any particular traditions? If so, which ones?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2024 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved..

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Finding Balance: A Practical Guide to Conserving Energy and Reducing Undue Labor (with a Fun Twist!)

The energy of it all

In today’s fast-paced world, we often find ourselves juggling multiple responsibilities, leaving little room for rest and reflection. Let’s explore how you can stay grounded, conserve your energy, and reduce unnecessary labor, all while having a bit of fun along the way.

1. The Art of Prioritization: Focus on What Truly Matters

Your energy can wane, so choose wisely what you focus on.

Practical Tip: Make a list of your daily tasks and categorize them into three buckets: Must-Do, Should-Do, and Could-Do. Focus on the Must-Do items first, and if you have time and energy left, tackle the Should-Do’s. The Could-Do’s? Save them for a rainy day—or better yet, delegate or delete them!

Fun Twist: Turn prioritizing into a game! Challenge yourself to finish your Must-Do list by noon, so you can spend the afternoon indulging in something fun, like a hobby or a mini-adventure.

2. Delegate Like a Pro: Share the Load

Ever tried to carry all the groceries in one trip? Sure, it feels like an Olympic feat, but it is not the smartest way to conserve energy. The same goes for tasks—carrying the weight of every responsibility is a surefire way to burn out.

Practical Tip: Identify tasks that others can do just as well (or even better) than you. Whether it is at work or home, do not hesitate to delegate. Trust in others’ abilities and let them take some of the load off your shoulders.

Fun Twist: Make delegation a family affair. Turn chores into a family competition with rewards for the best-completed task. Who said doing the dishes couldn’t be fun?

3. The Power of No: Protect Your Energy

Saying “yes” to every request is like hitting the snooze button on your energy reserves—it feels good in the moment, but it drains you over time. Learning to say “no” is one of the most powerful tools in conserving your energy.

Practical Tip: The next time someone asks you to take on an extra task, pause and consider if it aligns with your priorities. If it doesn’t, politely decline or suggest an alternative. Remember, every “yes” to something is a “no” to something else, often your well-being.

Fun Twist: Practice saying “no” with style! Create a list of creative, yet polite, ways to say no. For example, “I’d love to help, but my superhero cape is at the dry cleaners,” or “I’m currently booked with some self-care.”

4. Embrace the Power of Rest: Recharge Regularly

Just like your phone needs to be recharged, so do you. Skimping on rest leads to diminished productivity, and that is the opposite of conserving energy.

Practical Tip: Schedule regular breaks throughout your day, and do not skimp on sleep. Even a 10-minute walk or a 5-minute breathing exercise can work wonders in recharging your mental and physical energy.

Fun Twist: Treat your breaks like mini-vacations. Grab a fancy drink, put on some music, and escape to a “vacation spot” in your mind. It could be a sunny beach or a cozy cabin in the mountains—your imagination takes you there in an instant!

5. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify: Streamline Your Life

Ever notice how clutter can drain your energy? The more things you must manage, the more mental load you carry. Simplifying your life can dramatically reduce undue labor.

Practical Tip: Start by decluttering one area of your life—whether it is your workspace, your closet, or your calendar. Keep only what adds value and joy to your life. Everything else is just noise.

Fun Twist: Make it a challenge! Pick one area to declutter and set a timer. See how much you can simplify in 15 minutes. Reward yourself with something fun afterward—you choose what delights you in that moment.

6. The Magic of Routine: Automate Your Success

Routines might sound boring, but they are your secret weapon for conserving energy. When you create a routine, you reduce the mental energy spent on decision-making.

Practical Tip: Establish a morning and evening routine that sets you up for success. In the morning, focus on activities that energize you. In the evening, wind down with rituals that help you relax and prepare for restful sleep.

Fun Twist: Personalize your routines with elements that make you smile—a favorite song, a comforting cup of tea, or even a few minutes of dance. Routines do not have to be rigid—they can be fun and flexible!

For Your Consideration:

Balancing your life and conserving energy does not mean doing nothing per se—it means doing what matters more efficiently and with more joy. By prioritizing, delegating, saying no, resting, simplifying, and establishing routines, you can create a life that is not only balanced but also fulfilling and fun.

Remember, the key to a happier, more balanced life is to preserve your energy for the things that truly matter—and to enjoy the moments along the way.

Okay, your turn:

When have you noticed yourself overly “efforting” recently, leaving yourself feeling drained and unfulfilled? What did you do to change it up?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2024 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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A bonfire blazes

Amidst this sultry realm, with nature at its prime

A bonfire blazes tall, a beacon in the night

Its crackling flames like whispers

with wisdom to uncoil

Inviting us to gather ’round and to let our spirits sail

The bonfire’s glow, a mesmerizing sight to behold

It paints the evening sky with dancing hints of rubies and of gold

Drawn in like moths, we form a circle tight

Sharing laughter and our stories

igniting pure delight.

As the embers crackle and leap

the warmth from them felt upon our skin

We find solace in their flickers, a respite from the din.

For in this fiery haven, worries gently fade away

Replaced by joy and camaraderie, where memories form and play

With friends and loved ones by our side

we find a sense of bliss,

A soft breeze with hints of revealing secrets

with every nuzzle and quiet kiss

We bask in summer’s glory, as the stars adorn the sky

And in this shared existence, our souls are lifted high.

As the night seeks out its slumber, and embers fade to gray

We take comfort in the new memories, caught within the bright display.

For in our hearts, a spark will forever reside

Always ready to inspire

A reminder of that summer’s eve

when life met all of our desires

Okay, your turn:

Whether it be memories of summer camp, or summer school, or staying up late…what does the heat of the summer time invoke in you?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2023 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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The merry month of May

The merry month of May

Oh, sweet fragrant May

you mischievous sprite

with blooms aplenty

in full delight

with playful winks

appearing in every nook

if you look

around the bluffs

and with a child’s eye

towards the sky

Embrace the wonder,

the joy,

the splendor

you may

deploy in May

And spread the cheer

of this silly poem

without decorum

In all the lovely ways

that love

may find you

And those you hold

dearly

within your heart

This day

in May.

Blink!

Okay, your turn:

And so, May… it may be the most magical of all. Do you agree?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2023 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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I observe, I experience

I observe

I see

I am

You are

We are

one.

Passing through

this lifetime

Birth Death

Birth Death

Neither of these

do we choose

Both do we experience

In-between

is up to each of us.

Explorers

Adventurers

Beyond the mind

Beyond the pale

Of that which we tend to hail

Mental constructs

Personality conflicts

All at the expense of what

is directly in front of us.

Did you miss it?

Live today as if it’s your favorite birthday!

Light the candles

Sing

Party like it’s

nobody’s business.


Life is truly

a gift

Accept it with glee and satisfaction

As if you picked it out for your very self


Remember to enjoy the ride

As you never know when the ride

will stop.

Around we go!

Okay, your turn:

When is the last time you got lost in time? Could it be today? Tomorrow? Every day?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2022 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.
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The trees provide

  • Sequoia Trees in Kings Canyon National Park | California – Photo © Lori A. Noonan 2022

The trees provide

without prompting

without expectation

for one

for all

of us

to prosper.

The rocks endure

the passage of time

and wayward travelers

lost inside.

  • Ascending Moro Rock | Sequoia National Park – Photo © Sarah Storey 2022

The rocks ask no questions

  • Ascending the Top of Moro Rock | Sequoia National Park – Photo © Sarah Storey 2022

The rocks tell no lies

The peaks await your arrival

your ascent

your stay for awhile

to admire the view

and take in the breeze

that swells around you

holding you in place

if only but for a moment or two

in time and space

and then descend

you must

along the way

the very way you came up

with a different view this time

and an awe-filled heart

all the same

all the way

down the mountain.

The trees wave

as you step by step

walk by

all the way down.

At the base, the ground says

hello

welcome back

how’d it go?

Okay, your turn:

Having spent the weekend in the Sierras with a supportive, wonderfully playful, and wildly creative group of co-adventurers who like to hike, I couldn’t help but share with you a poem that I was inspired to write as part of that experience. What in nature speaks to you?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2022 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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Give it a frame

Give it a frame

Give it a frame

through which to view

the year

your year

ahead

Never the same

as what may have come

of the year drawing

to a close

May it no longer be tamed

nor reduced to a simple game

To be repeated

ever more

or less so tame

and lame

as to be unwittingly turned away

from all the possibilities

that bring you joy

For your consideration:

When I was the Features editor for my school newspaper, I took great care in selecting from among the many photographs submitted by the photographers, paring down to the very few that most captured the emotions of the moment. The Sports editor, not surprisingly, focused on selecting the most dynamic action shots. It was with intention and a devotion to the story.

The same process can be applied to the new year. As you review all that was (and wasn’t) 2021, what are you bringing with you into 2022, and what are you leaving behind?

I encourage you to give yourself the opportunity to put a frame around the new year. As you would with a painting or a photograph, what are you choosing to put within the frame? What are you bringing into clear focus by framing it as such? And, by design, what are you thereby leaving outside the frame?

Put another way, we speak of the “framers of the Constitution.” The founding fathers — alas no founding mothers at least not officially — deliberately and with intention decided what would be included in, and excluded from, the nation’s foundational charter. (For more on that, follow this link to a previous edition of Soul Notes here.)

It makes a difference where you place the frame.

Okay, your turn:

What is it about the turning of the calendar from one year to the next that excites you? Anything about it that actually instead drives you a bit batty?

Do you approach each year with intention? If not, will you do so this year? Are you willing to give it a try?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2022 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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A moment of repose

A moment of repose

As we approach another changing of the seasons

and a close to the year

I pose

this question

to you and for you

to consider

In a moment of reflection and repose

I suppose

It’s not too much to ask

Not too much to request

and suggest to myself

and to all who will receive it

That we take a breather

and embrace the stillness…

the isness…

and

the ever-available forgiveness

of the moment.

For your consideration:

Among the hustle of the holiday season, may you set aside a quiet moment of reflection and repose? Heck, set a timer for 22 minutes, if you must.  Yeah, okay, that may not sound particularly spiritual, but it works!

For me, this holiday season so far has been one of deep study and stillness amongst the storm of society, external influences, and seemingly endless unrest.  I go within, where all is well. I invite you to do the same. Let your soul be your guide.

Okay, your turn:

Would you rather plow through the holidays, making lists, and checking things off the list, going back to the list, checking the list again, and on and on? Or, would you rather smile at the joys of the season, the light, the shimmer and the glimmers of hope? What you see is what you get. The light is what you are.

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2021 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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Coming in from the fields

Coming in from the fields

In agrarian societies such as rural Ireland, the harvest time was and is a time of bringing in from the fields all that’s been growing there. You truly reap what you sow.

Some prefer the word Autumn to describe this season. I like to call it Autumn. For some reason, I love saying autumnal. Saying the word aloud sounds as it is…full and rich. Another term in even more common parlance for this season (Fall) refers to the falling of the leaves from the trees. And, you may have heard the phrase “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

On a recent road trip to go apple picking, I visited a small (9-acre) farm and walked their orchard. An abundance of apples were scattered on the ground beneath each tree. Nature naturally (pun intended) knows when to release the fruit once the stems gradually loosen their grip, and the fruit becomes too heavy for the stem to bear. Gently, the tree releases its ripened fruit. So, somewhat to my surprise, I found the apple picking excursion to be more of an apple collecting venture. I did reach up and nudge a few apples from some of the trees into my basket. What stood out for me most, however, was the subtle, refreshing fragrance of the apples wafting in the air as I walked the paths between and among the trees. I felt a certain kinship with the apples and the trees, and thanked them for their gifts.

Whilst in a poetic mood, I leave you with a poem by John Keats that so lovingly captures the splendor of the season:

To Autumn

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
    Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
    With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,
    And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
        To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
    With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
        For Summer has o’er-brimm’d their clammy cells.

Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
    Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
    Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reap’d furrow sound asleep,
    Drows’d with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
        Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
    Steady thy laden head across a brook;
    Or by a cyder-press, with patient look,
        Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.

Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
    Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,—
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
    And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
    Among the river sallows, borne aloft
        Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
    Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
    The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
        And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

For your consideration:

As is often a theme here on Soul Notes, I ask you to take a moment to consider the lessons that nature teaches us, with each passing season. This Autumn, what are you releasing this season from your proverbial tree?  What are you collecting in your basket?  Any surprises?

Okay, your turn:

Share what are you harvesting. What are you bringing in from the fields? What is your bounty?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2021 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.
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Today is your life

“Today is the first day of the rest of your life.”

“Today is the first day of the rest of your life.”

This phrase, popularized during the 1960s and ’70s has a nice ring to it, indeed. A catchy phrase, so to say. It’s a way of reminding us that we can start fresh, start over, each day brings a new dawn. It’s the latter part of the phrase, though, that can be confounding. The “rest” of your life, as in the remainder of your life, what is that, exactly? It’s unknown. It’s the grand mystery. The remainder could be years, months, or an instant.

Today IS your life, yes?

Sure, there’s the unfolding. There’s the becoming. There’s the planting, the cultivating, the growing, the expanding, followed by the harvesting and the fruits of our labor. There can be beauty, grace, lessons, and meaning in all of these. Heck, many a Soul Notes article has been devoted to these topics. In my own life, and in others’ lives, I advocate for the process of envisioning, and easing into the flow, and merging with the natural cycles.

There’s wisdom in setting sail and course-correcting with awareness and intention. It’s not an either, or. It’s an all-in. All-in this moment. All-in with all senses engaged. All-in awareness. Now. And again. And again.

For your consideration:

Here’s another popular phrase: “We have time to kill.” If we’re simply treading water waiting for the ‘real’ event to happen, then what happens in the meantime? It’s ALL in the meantime!

As the signs say along the tracks of the London Underground: Mind the Gap.

Living with awareness brings the present moment into focus. Living without awareness is a life, erm, not really lived — a life suspended, like a tolling of a statute of limitations. Don’t be that person. Be you. All of you. All the time.

Okay, your turn:

Rephrasing the ‘the first day of the rest of your life’ into: Today IS your life — When you read this, what comes up for you?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2021 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.

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