Happy Monday, friends! It is a grey day here but not chilly and, well, it actually feels rather cozy this morning. I’m disappointed with myself since I am just writing today’s post (here at ten in the morning) and did not get it ready over the weekend. I was sure this was the month I was going to get myself of track. On schedule. Something. And it is a new month (woo hoo!) and this is October’s Share Four Somethings. Clearly, I need to work on the scheduling thing. Nevertheless, I missed this monthly post last month (sigh) so not wanting to let it slide again. Let me just get started. This month (er, in October), something….
I LOVED – was, simply, October! This month was filled with all the October feels. If you know what I mean. The pumpkins and mums, the cool mornings and bringing out the cardigans, the slow mornings. Oh, and the fall-inspired lattes: Of course, the weather has been beautiful. Just perfect! God’s handiwork came to life about half way through the month – and has only continued to impress. There have been so many oppportunities to be outside, to slow down a bit…to (literally) refresh and renew before the busyness that November/December always bring. Late last week, we drove up to Skyline Drive. For no other reason than to take photos of the fall color. Sure, there is plenty of color in my own neighborhood but, goodness, we live so close to all the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley. We might as well enjoy it. The drive. The valley. The colors. None of it disappointed us.
THAT SUSTAINED ME – was having been on vacation in September. Remember that? October’s trip was a bit of a bust. Although, honestly, was it all that horrible to be away for five days on a cruise ship? The trip may have not been what we planned or anticipated but we could have been “stranded” in a lot worse ways. Or it could have been completely cancelled. Or…well, a hundred other things. Gratitude sustained me. I’m working on my attitude – especially when I need to be flexible -and, sincerely, gratitude makes a huge difference. Just sayin.
I AM CARRYING FORWARD – that attitude of gratitude. At least, I hope so. We started a short series on gratitude in Junior Church yesterday. The first lesson was being grateful not only for the good things/times but also in the bad times and hard things. This one took some heart work, on my part, while I was preparing and before I could teach it.
I AM MAKING SPACE FOR – holiday activities. I can be a bit of a grinch. My grinchy self tends to withdraw during the holidays. I’m trying to work on that this year. We’ve already bought tickets for several fun (and festive!) events. No doubt, I will never be Buddy, the Elf…but I am hoping to embrace more of the holiday magic this year.
Well, that was a rather quick wrap-up for this past month. Honestly, I thought I had much more to say. Did I miss something? I just going to leave my short and sweet answers. And get this one posted. Here’s hoping to a better month blog wise. And here’s to all the possibilities that a new month brings. Before I say good-bye completely to October…tell me one thing that you loved last month! As always, thanks for stopping by the blog!!