Ah, the promise of September—a season of new beginnings.
It’s a time to reflect on the desires of our hearts and the longings of our souls as we consider the months ahead. For me, September has always held a special promise, even in the most challenging times. It brings the anticipation of a harvest, the start of a new school year, reconnections with friends, and fresh opportunities for learning. It’s also a time to walk in nature, savoring the changing colors, scents, and sounds of this abundant season. A season of renewal.
John O’Donohue’s poem For New Beginnings is a wonderful reminder of opening into this new rhythm.
My introverted and journalling self likes to reflect how I want to live this new season, knowing there will be challenges and gifts. This time I am spending time in my journal with these questions, as I look to the next few months:
- What are my heart’s desires and/or my soul’s longings to experience?
- What are my heart’s desires and/or soul’s longings to express?
- What are my heart’s desires and/or soul’s longings to create?
- What are my heart’s desires and/or soul’s longings to contribute?
And of course, if these words don’t resonate with you, feel free to use your own. Personally, I find that reflecting on my heart’s desires and soul’s longings separately often brings different insights. I allow myself a few days to sit with these reflections, revisiting them as needed, and noticing what truly stands out. From there, I distill a few key ‘items’ or intentions —the ones that feel most important at this moment and align deeply with my values and my greater purpose of supporting the flourishing of all beings.
Perhaps these questions will work for you. And of course if these words don’t resonate with you, feel free to use your own.
If you are getting some clarity on items or intentions, you might find this resource helpful in living your intentions in mindful and clear ways.
About Maud Lewis
My husband and I appreciate Maud Lewis’s paintings every day, since a calendar of her paintings hangs beside our kitchen table. Her art and her story bring us joy and inspiration. The movie Maudie beautifully captures the life of Lewis, who, despite battling severe arthritis, overcame significant challenges. She began by painting the walls of her small home and went on to find solace and expression through her art, leaving behind a legacy of beauty and resilience.
More on these topics:
- Living with Intentions
- Power of Intentions
- Living with Intentions and Integrity
- Do you crap out on your intentions
I delight in sharing my thoughts, such as these, in a newsletter, typically every few months. And now and then, ideas show up our Facebook page. Always love to hear from you via email.
