Wednesday, April 25, 2012

go gently

A few days ago a southerly blew in and with it came true autumn. All of a sudden we're wearing woollens, taking hot water bottles to bed and preparing soups and stocks for the weeks ahead. 

Thank you so much for the nurturing comments on path. I've been thinking a lot about this time of year, the way our bodies need to work harder to stay warm and healthy. It's no wonder we're all feeling the lull, it's a seasonal shift and clearly we're all adjusting. 

I've spent a lot of time away from the internet this week and it's been really nice. It's a busy world, this online place, and I get so overwhelmed by the plethora of, well, stuff. I liken it to walking through the streets of the city; the small boutiques and urban quirks are inspiring but the fast pace and vivid lights tire me in the end. I so easily get swept up in the crowd and it's difficult to pull away. 

When I do step back the break is genuinely refreshing. The afternoons are spent outdoors, soaking up that clear, white autumn light. Dinner is on the stove by 4o'clock and babies are bathed by 5.30. Bedtime comes earlier; a cup of camomile by my side.  I stop wanting and start appreciating. The washing gets folded too.

Like I have said to so many of my friends lately: go gently. 

40 comments:

  1. Oh yes, words of wisdom. I have been taking some time recently to contemplate and to send some love about. It can all get too much sometimes and a wee bit of quiet is so very welcome. Nothing better than dinner on and bubbas clean from the bath- tea always good! Lovely post, Jo xx

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  2. I needed to hear this today. Thank you. It's nice to know I'm not alone in my little internal battle with all the 'noise' around.

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  3. Yes, definitely a shift in season...our wood fire has been lit and it's glowing warmth makes me feel good indeed. Now I just have to find a big pot and sit it on top full of soup. Be well and stay warm...and we will catch up soon.xxx

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  4. I think we've all been feeling that need for some time to step back, take stock, make stock (!), prepare ourselves for the winter ahead and refresh ourselves somewhat. Sounds like you've done it well.
    xx

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  5. You are so inspiring. I love how you find the reason behind the feeling...this is something that i struggle with, so...I love the insight. Thanks

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  6. Oh wow - such words of wisdom. A beautiful message. Go gently is such a perfect mantra for this season, and every day really. Thank you Jodi xx

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  7. I agree. fully.
    All that 'stuff' on the internet simply makes one 'want'. I find, no matter how much 'stuff' we get there is always something else we 'need'. Humans don't need much really, just food/shelter/love/family and God. I feel the same about the internet, a total lure and an instant inspiration hit, but it doesn't give lasting joy.
    x

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  8. You are so wise Jodi I think I need to take those words on board, take that time away and just enjoy the here and now. I hope you are enjoying the change of season and pace. Thank you. The chill in the air has just reached us up here and it's really lovely to have a change. xx

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  9. lovely words lovely lady. the cold hit qld last night and it was fabulous. i say this now but winter hasn't even showed her true colours yet. ps. i dreamt i babysat little poet last night...haha, had to tell you as it made me giggle when i woke this morning. that little lady is definately leaving an impression, a cute one at that. xx

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  10. Hello. It's so true. If you read my blog or my Facebook page you can't have helped but notice I've been to Girl Guide camp for a week. 500-plus kids and women on site make for a great weekend of laughs, late nights, stress, challenges and triumphs. I always find it hard to re-enter normal life, especially work life where people will want to whine about stores not ordering just the right kind of pen or the Magenta cartridge running low in the printer. They're such petty small things when teens are conquering Mount Kosciusko, caving for the first time, half way up a wall they've rock climbed, coming back wet (like, really wet) after a two day canoe hike in heavy rain. I have to admit I've been hitting the "Mark Read" button in my Reader a lot. Enjoy looking out the window and chasing what little sun we have left this autumn.

    PS: My garden is cleared ready for autumn planting. I mentioned to Emily I'd be happy to share cuttings and produce as new bits and bobs come in.

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  11. I think I needed to read this today... Somewhere between the cold snap, my would-be wedding anniversary and work troubles I am in a funk. I think 'go gently' will be my mantra today. x

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  12. I agree completely Jodi, especially for those of us who can be a wee bit airy- that cold wind really brings with it the need to negotiate the days with presence and gentleness, to keep our feet on the ground. Love to you and your little ones x

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  13. You are wise beyond your years, friend. The internet can be a constant place of comparison, and often will leaving you feeling unfulfilled. Knowing when to let go sometimes can be the hardest. I wish you the best always, and hope to take a few tips from you while learning to surrender myself.
    xx

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  14. Couldn't agree with you more Jodi. When you switch off, stop checking emails and reading blogs constantly you seem to find so much more peace, well I do anyway! It's nice to do sometimes.

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  15. Lovely Jodi, wise words and beautiful photos.

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  16. Beautiful. That post was like a calming cup of camomile tea. Thank you x

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  17. Beautiful Jodi, a good reminder, just what I need to read. Thank you. x

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  18. I love what you said about stop wanting and start appreciating. great words!

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  19. I just love this time of year..... :-)

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  20. So very true Jodi. The online world, while inspiring, is almost 'never ending' at times. Stepping back from it and actually enjoying simple daily pleasures is so important x

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  21. You are a wise lady Jodi - go gently is just what I needed to hear today, so once again - thank you!

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  22. Lovely post Jodi. Beautiful pictures. wise words x

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  23. "Go gently" is a favourite of mine too, Jodi. A quiet reminder to myself that I whisper from time to time.

    Getting away from the internet is a necessity for health in both body and mind. Essential. x

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  24. Beautiful advice, Jodi. Thanks for the reminder. xo

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  25. Beautiful post, i love the words - go gently x

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  26. I too find it hard to limit my internet time and I have to say, when I do it is always worth it.

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  27. "I stop wanting and start appreciating. The washing gets folded too." Oh, so true!

    I've started trying to take an internet sabbath. Just get off-line for a full 24 hours once a week. It's hard. I have to disable my wireless and data to help me. But when I'm successful it feels soooo good. Cleansing.

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  28. Amen.

    Folded washing and all.

    xx Tam

    ps. I have to say how much I look forward to your posts, I see them come up in my reader but then dare not peek until I know I have a quiet moment to absorb your words. Thank-you.

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  29. wise words "I stop wanting and start appreciating".
    the end of hot water bottles here & enjoyng pretty & sunny spring days!

    evdokia

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  30. beautiful post jodi :)
    I've read it about 6 times over the past few days
    x

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  31. definitely needed to hear this x

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  32. Thanks for stopping by my little corner - so lovely to have you.
    Beautiful words, so eloquently put.
    x

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  33. Shall do that right now. Thanks Jodi,
    Ronnie xo

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  34. Lovely post Jodi. I get that need for time away from the computer. Time to slow down. Time to get outdoors and take in the changing of the seasons. I love seeing snippets of Fall in your country.
    Peace and love to you. xx

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  35. Beautifully worded, as always Jodi. I couldn't agree more that a break away from the online world is such a necessity. It is easy to get swept up in it all and forget that up until a few years ago, we coped perfectly well without it. Go gently is a great piece of advice xo

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  36. It's a great way of thinking, to go gently. Thanks for this lovely post, Jodi - I enjoyed reading it very much :)

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  37. Thank you for the reminder Jodi, I needed this today. x

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  38. Wow, going slowly and fallow periods are a real theme at the moment. I have come across a lot of friends (on and offline) talking about the need for it. ...being gentle with ourselves and resting. I wonder why the theme. Has everyone had a big year? Meanwhile, those southerlies you mention...I named my blog after them.

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  39. I love this post jodi, a timely reminder. this is, in fact, what we are doing this week, trying to catch up and our breath. there is indeed a shift for the season, which I feel in itself requires work, but even so, I will follow your advice and go gently x

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  40. I know that wall, and that rock pool! My two were playing on it only last week. So nice to find a fellow blogger who lives in the same place! Lovely to meet you. Yours is a calming, restful blog, so I'll be dropping by quite a bit now...

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