The last few mornings have held such a silence. Maybe it is the cool, crisp air opening the gateway to autumn. Maybe it is the fading song of the crickets beneath the awakening sun that paints the coming of the morning in its golden light. Maybe it is the peace within myself that has been holding me as I awaken to another beginning. It is after all a new day, a new month, and the preparing to begin a new season. This morning I lit my candles and incense before whispering my morning devotionals aligning myself to a new day, just like any other day. However, today is different. As I sat with my heart open to feel what was reaching out to me, I realized that it was me. I am different. I am at peace. I am calm and still and full of joy. I was the one reaching out to myself, offering these feelings. It is a strange and beautiful experience. And today I do not hold the need or desire to question it. Instead, I am finding myself welcome this moment for what it is – a breath of a new day.
There is an old saying,” The only constant in life is change.” This is attributed to the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus. He spoke about how nothing ever rests because everything is in motion, just like a river. No matter how many times we step into the same river at the same location, we will never come across the same water we touched in the past. It is the nature of life and it affects us all. Not much of Heraclitus’ writing remains today, but we get glimpses of his work through Aristotle and Plato and later from the Hermetic Principles. Much like the river and time metaphor, Heraclitus’ echoing words are striking me differently this morning than they have in the past. Maybe it is because I am feeling peace in this present moment instead of fear of the unknown. I am not sure. Only time can tell me that. However, I do know that something has changed.
Change is always happening. Sometimes the change can be small. Other times the changes are monumental. We make different choices as we grow, carving a different path. We may not even realize all the subtle changes until that moment of reflection when we look back and see how different we are and how far we have come. In a blink of an eye, we are at a crossroads deciding what step to take next. People come and go from our lives. Experiences are had and turn to memories and lessons. Our likes and dislikes change, creating even more opportunities and choices. That is when we understand that perhaps we are that river Heraclitus was talking about. We may be faced with familiar choices, yet our decisions are vastly different from what we may have chosen in the past. That is perfectly normal. It shows maturity, evolution, and maybe even a personal transformation. The point is we are always in motion. Our lives never rest. Change can be frightening and sad. It can also be beautiful and liberating. The fact of the matter is that we hold the power to decide how we will respond to what comes our way.
So, as I write to you this beautiful Sunday morning, I think the stillness and peace I feel is the from many changes and experiences that were marked through ceremony and sacred rites only a few days ago. As I simmer in the energies allowing time for myself to reflect on all that is ending, I welcome the new beginnings that are being fostered and explored. Change is constant. I am certainly being reminded of this fact in so many ways. It is something that is beautiful and terrifying at the same time. What is different today however, I am finding a deep peace with that. I am ready for what comes next as I decide my own steps to take. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had and for the new ones that are being created.
How are you in your life? What are your thoughts on change? Where are you in this exact moment? What is your current relationship with change? I hope you can take some time for yourself today and feel where you are in the moment. Be present in your own heart and may you discover your own peace within.
Be well today,
Renee Bedard ~ The Whispering Crow
The Whispering Crow 