365 Days To Journal About Autumn Leaves
Autumn Leaves
Cabin in the Aspens - Colorado
Autumn! My favorite time of year… with the vibrant colors, crisp air, solid blue skies… I take myself away from here for a moment and visit the high country of Colorado with a light dusting on the mountain tops and that blue sky… deep cerulean blue. The sound of the evergreens as they sway in the mountain breeze… and the sound of the aspens as they quiver their golden leaves.
And then… there is the first snow on Maroon Bells just outside of Aspen… Autumn in the Rockies!
Fast Forward to the northeastern United States… with vibrant red, yellow orchre and burnt sienna shades… my artist is showing with my paint colors! Autumn offers a palette of colors for any painting. It shows colors for you to write about, think about, wear and ponder how to paint your walls. Color is most important in our lives. Without it, everything would be gray! Now the color gray has its place deep in January against the dark bark of trees and bright white snow banks. However, not in Autumn. One of my favorite songs for this time of year is Autumn Leaves. The link is a beautiful version of Autumn Leaves by Eric Clapton.
Cassatt Road in Berwyn, PA
So as we move through the month of October… here are a few journaling prompts to help you add more color to your life:
• Start with the primary colors: red, blue and yellow… take 5 minutes and write about each one and describe how the color makes you feel – both inwardly and outwardly… Is there a difference in your feeling?
• You can do this same exercise with the secondary colors: purple, orange and green.
• What is your favorite color? Write a short action-oriented piece using your favorite color as the first person.
• Find a wall mural and look for the prominent color used in the painting. Journal a few minutes on that color and its meaning in the mural. How would the mural change if a different color was used instead?
• Pick an autumn color: red, yellow, gold, rust or burnt orange… next time you are driving or walking through a parking lot… see how many cars you notice with any of these colors.
Keep journaling! And Happy Writing…
Warmest Autumn Regards,
Rosemary
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A Hurricane Journal… Waiting for Irene
Berwyn, PA – August 29, 2011
On Thursday August 25, 2011, I learned that Hurricane Irene was headed to the New Jersey shore, Philadelphia and its western suburbs. I was in Vineland, NJ that day helping mom with some doctor appointments, shopping and other errands. While at the bank, I learned they issued a mandatory evacuation of Cape May, NJ – the southernmost tip of NJ – starting today. I thought it odd, since it was 3 pm on Thursday afternoon and the hurricane wasn’t due to hit the NJ coastline until 3 am Sunday Morning.
So I proceeded with my errands and headed to the super market for mom’s weekly shopping list. She had quite a list, since she was stocking up for the upcoming holiday weekend as well. Shop Rite on Landis Avenue in Vineland was packed… and no gallon jugs of water were left. It was 3:30 pm on Thursday afternoon…. Obviously, the hurricane panic has already started. I got mom set up with a case of water (her favorite is the Poland Spring 16 oz bottles – not necessarily eco-friendly, but hey, Mom is 97), food, prescriptions and fresh batteries for her flashlight. She was set to ride the storm as long as she stayed inside… and of course, she will.
As I left Vineland that evening, the traffic was unbelievable. Long lines of cars along Rt. 55 North. Stopping for a tank of gas and extra cash was another long wait at the WaWa in Glassboro. It’s only Thursday, people have 2 more days to get things in order. And the lines at the toll booth at the Commodore Barry Bridge into PA was like a mass exodus. Another 12 hours and the tolls would be free…. but not on the bridges going into PA. Only the Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway would have free tolls.
Friday morning was like any other Friday. I spent the day working in King of Prussia and stopped at Trader Joe’s on my way in (thinking that it would be a mad house at 5pm). I breezed in for cat food and sunflowers to brighten up my apartment during a hurricane. By 4pm I was headed home to clear off my patio and start doing some laundry to pass the time. As I passed by the Trader Joe’s parking lot on my way home, there wasn’t a parking space to be had. More panic spreading to the masses.
Saturday at 8 am I took a walk around my complex. It was a beautiful morning, although grey gloomy clouds lurked, it was a nice cool and muggy morning for a walk. I did a few more loads of laundry and kept the air condition on to keep the humidity out and the inside cool. By 9:30 it started to get breezy with the breeze turning to a 10 mph wind. Nothing to write home about.
It started to rain in Berwyn about 12 noon (it had started in Cape May at 6 am). And by 12:30 pm there was already a tornado warning in Lewes, DE. I took a nap in the afternoon, and even read a little bit. I could feel the anxiety building. Between 5pm and 9pm I spent my time on the phone, texting and watching the storm coverage on TV. I even made a delicious eggplant parmesean meal in preparation for no power on Sunday. Watching the storm coverage really got me wound up and excited – nervous excited, so periodically I had to turn it off. The anticipation created even more intense feelings and I found it was a cycle that just kept spinning – just like the hurricane that was headed my way. Part of my nervousness was the 20’ wall of windows in my apartment, leading out to my patio and overlooking 3 trees and a greenbelt. I had all kinds of images going through my head throughout the day.
Around 9:15 pm I headed to my neighbor’s apartment. His dog has been declining and my neighbor was working volunteer rescue for the Tredyffrin Township Police. He asked if I would check on his dog, Shadow. Shadow was so happy to see me, and we sat on the couch and watched more storm coverage. By now the rain was relentless and the wind was quite fierce. At 10 pm the newscaster announced a tornado touched down in Lewes, DE. Fifteen minutes later, he announced the tornado warnings for the entire viewing area – “take cover now” were his words, as he announced Brywn Mawr, Radnor, King of Prussia, Berwyn and Paoli. Holy Moley… Berwyn? I headed to the bathroom for cover. My neighbor had already filled the bathtub with water, so I was concerned that Shadow would come in with me and want to jump in the tub (which she has done in the past)…. But she remained sleepily on the couch waiting for me to return.
By 11:30 I was so on edge, I had to leave and go back to my apartment to be with my kitties. I showered – just in case there was no power or water in the morning (do you think we were a little over-prepared?) and I cuddled up with Ziggy and Zack in bed to finish watching storm coverage (there is nothing else on!) til I fell asleep. Rather than bite my nails, I whipped up avocado and homemade chips for a late night snack (thinking the crunch of the chips would help with the stress). I am so nervous, since by now the winds were howling and the rain was just coming down in sheets. This was by far the scariest storm I have ever been in.
At 1:00 am the storm intensity of the wind and rain is beyond anything I have ever experienced. And, the storm hasn’t even hit the south Jersey shoreline (Cape May or other beach towns in southern NJ) – it’s still coming! Exhausted, I turn off the light and quickly drop into a deep sleep. Both kitties sleeping on me like sandbags.
Morning came quietly. At 6 am I awakened with an utter calm about me felt deep into my bones. Although it was still raining lightly, it was quiet. And, although I am tired from lack of proper sleep, the tense feelings are gone. I learned landfall was around 2:30 am in Little Egg Inlet, just off Brigantine Island (north of Atlantic City). I went back to sleep and later, for the rest of the day, was catching up with family and friends, and their grateful comments of survival. It was the worst storm I ever experienced, on par with Hurricane Hazel in 1953 which I remember (I was 3 years old) huddled in the kitchen by candlelight, the rain and wind whipping trees and power lines. Well Irene spared my electricity, but my nerves were surely rattled.
So this morning, as I journaled, I pondered gratitude and all the things I am grateful for after Hurricane Irene:
My life – always grateful to be alive;
Ability to take a deep breath to calm me;
Sunshine, green grass and blue sky the day after a hurricane;
Ziggy and Zack – their love, companionship and understanding of our life together;
My friends and family who shared my life during the storm, who calmed and comforted me as well;
Electricity, clean water and a gas stove for cooking;
NO damage!
I also, realized the storm coverage caused much of my nervousness, anxiety, and stress. Yet when I turned it off, and went about my day, within an hour I was back getting an update. It was like waiting for the other shoe to drop… that took days to hit the floor.
Regardless of whether you were touched by Hurricane Irene, what are you grateful for today… and really, everyday? Something to ponder about as you journal next time.
In the Spirit of Love and Light…
Rosemary Augustine
Are You Having Fun?
As I sit here this morning and ponder life, I think about all the jobs I’ve ever had and which ones were fun. I mean really FUN! I can probably think of only one or two in my life time, since many of those jobs were just that – a job! And many of them had workloads for an army not just one person. Then there were jobs that you asked yourself “what am I doing?” more than once in a day. Those jobs I left pretty quickly.
However, today, I want to focus on FUN! No matter what job you are doing, ask yourself, “are you having fun in your job?” Usually, I’m asking about passion in the job and creativity in your life. But this time it’s the word Fun! Are you smiling? Are you laughing each day? Are you enjoying what you are doing? And, are you enjoying the people you are working with each day? Are you having FUN?
When I ran my business in Denver, now that was fun. Every day was an adventure. Juggling time, money and multiple projects on top of marketing, networking and writing. There was never had a dull moment. Maybe a few moments of panic a couple of times, but in 15 years mostly FUN! Fast forward 10 years to today. Am I having fun? If not, then I need to change something!
When I was growing up, I always remember my mom saying: “you just make up your mind you are going to have fun!” Even better, my own personal saying has always been… “life is what you make it, so make your choice.” I’ve written so much about this in my books, choosing positive over negative thinking, and choosing the things that take you along the path to higher consciousness.
You can, however, have fun whether working for yourself or working for someone else. It’s viewpoint, perspective and a great sense of humor. Sometimes the sense of humor can only take you so far, and it is in that moment that decisions are made and you find your fun somewhere else. If you are questioning yourself about the job, people, decisions, etc., listen to your gut, and you’ll find the answer more quickly then you think.
As we enjoy the heat of summer and realize life is passing by quickly, ask yourself – “are you really having fun in all that you are doing?” The job? Your relationships? Your personal life? As the oak trees are yielding lots of acorns for the squirells to stash, what things in your life do you need to address? What load needs to be lightened in order to create the FUN in your life?
Make it a FUN day and FUN Life!
In the Spirit of Love and Light…
Rosemary Augustine
26 More Weeks!
Had a gentle reminder today that it is the last day of June; the end of the 2nd quarter; and week 26 of this year. So the question is not “Where has the year gone?” The question is “How are you doing on your goals for 2011?”
Every year on December 30th or there about, the discussion of New Year’s resolutions comes up. Some call it resolutions, others call it goal setting. Regardless, with each new year, you want something different, some kind of change. Yet, by January 30th… the days passed, we got bored, overwhelmed or just forgot. Some of you however, didn’t! … because it was important for you to travel your journey and make sure your goals were reached… once and for all. So, on June 30th… don’t ask the question, where did the year go so far? Reach for your journal and cross off what’s been accomplished to date and realize you have 26 more weeks to get the rest of it done before 2011 is over.
I wouldn’t say I’m on target, but I have quite a few things already crossed off my list for 2011. The summer is a chance to get a few projects underway. It always seems to be more time in the summer for special projects … just too many projects. Keep the goals in check, keep the projects relevant to the goals and little by little, the list will whittle down and in 26 weeks, you’ll be working on a new list for 2012.
Just a reminder, that tomorrow starts my blitz for “Writing In The Sand”… my summer creative writing eCourse that is loads of fun. “Writing In The Sand” is a virtual 3-day course with locations of Marina del Rey, CA; Cape May, NJ and Grand Lake, CO - writing on topics that each location offers as inspiration. It’s creative, inspiring and a chance to work at your own pace either all at once or in 3 weekly intervals. Lots of great prompts and story ideas for finding your writing muse. Hope you can join me… cost is $29 for the email eCourse. Email me if you would like to participate in this eCourse: info@rosemaryaugustine.com and I will direct you to a payment link on PayPal… or you can go to the link on my website www.rosemaryaugustine.com and order from there.
Hope you are enjoying the summer…. So far I am and it’s only just beginning.
In the Spirit of Love and Light,
Warmest Regards,
Rosemary Augustine
Journaling Through The Pain
Today is the anniversary of Maxx’s death. 6 years ago today … my time flies. I miss my little Maxx, his sweet innocence and love for the camera, his clumsiness, his push to be #1 – which he was completely after Byron’s death. He was my little Maxx…I miss him and hope he is watching over me – being an angel to me … he was a little love.
However, despite the day for remembrance to a special companion, I realize some people are struggling with aging and anger. When I hear this I wonder… as we age, why are we angry? Who are we angry at? Are we angry at someone else or really angry at ourselves? Are we angry about life and that it didn’t turn out the way we thought it should? Some envy others good fortune, even if secretly. Yet some so angry don’t see the potential in themselves to do something from this point forward. Thankfully, some do.
Some are caregivers, others are rescuers… caught in a web of self truth that belies their life. Yet all have the answer deep inside, yet they are too burdened with anger to take the journey within… because of the pain they will encounter before they move to healing their spirit. I cannot take on their energy but can hold them in the light hoping my touch, my words, or my very presence will ease the pain – if maybe for only the time we are sitting together. I realize that by listening, I must move on to capture my own essence before my light is extinguished. I must use my light and spread my words to those who seek me out.
As we approach the coming year, more chaos will create more static … we will be another year older and probably have more anger and hate in the world. I can only live in the light as the light provides for me with love and all my needs for life. Whatever I ask for I receive because the Universe provides for those in the light. Well, maybe the Universe provides for all, regardless… however, I will remain in the light because of my love and belief in my own god-spirit. Each of you, I hope are journaling daily, journaling through the pain… finding the light and realizing you know the answers are inside of you.
In the Spirit of Love and Light…
Warmly,
Rosemary Augustine
PS… Max was the 2002 runner up of the Cumberland County Fat Cat Contest. In the picture above, he topped 27+ lbs.
My Secret Garden
Today I want to paint, sing and run for joy because it’s a free day. A free pass to explore the creativity that awaits me. We need 365 days of free passes – since everyday should be a free day to write, spark, and create. It’s part of life’s balance.
Today I take my free pass to a pleasure garden filled with colorful flowers and green grass. Blue sky, warm breezes, hills to run down, streams to dip my toes in. A chance to sit and gaze into the beauty that surrounds me. It is a warm yet comfortable day with a few bees pollinating the flowers and a big black and white cat snoozing on the sun lit wicker chair. It feels like an August afternoon. The colors all around me fill my palette. As I sit and daze off into this beauty, I gaze deeply into my soul nourishing every inch, recognizing how every space is filled with the beauty that surrounds me. I take this moment and breathe in all the beauty. My breath is rhythmic. I feel the sun’s rays on my face as I am still for what should be an eternity, but I’m sure is only for a few minutes. My mind is quiet, no thoughts are racing through my mind.
There is a stillness, an inner joy that I have created by just being here. It is the closest thing to peace – inner peace that anyone could imagine. It is my oasis in the desert, my inner spring, my secret garden created today with my imagination. I can go there any time to sit and be still, to be with myself, to recharge after the storm. I can only go by myself since this is all in my imagination. A quiet place that welcomes me each time with open arms filled with love.
Find your oasis in the storm of life. Find where you can go to be still, quiet, safe with your thoughts. A place where you can nourish your soul. It may only be for a few minutes, but the treasures you receive last as long as your next visit. Enjoy!
Warmest Regards,
Rosemary Augustine
PS… Yes, It’s been a while since my last post. However, don’t let that discourage you. Just like everyone else, life happens. What’s most important is when we get distracted, we come back to what makes us whole, nourished and one with the Gods! This piece was written a few weeks ago when the ground had 8 inches of new snow and it was 10 degrees at 7 am. Just a few weeks later it was 70 degrees and felt like a warm day in May. It’s only February! By the time this was posted… it was back to more snow and 20 degrees. Ah! Winter! Soon everything around us will be blooming. Soon! The picture insert is Chanticleer – my secret garden that is real – right here in Wayne, PA.
When You’re Feeling Blah!
Today, I came home feeling the January Blues… bitter cold, snow on the ground for weeks and feeling pulled in lots of directions. So it goes – Blah! Blah! Blah! As I put the key in my door, I said to myself, “I need to journal on all that I am grateful for – right now!”
I am grateful for coming home to see my kitties, since regardless of whether they are happy to see me, I am very happy to see them. Do I think they are lucky to have me in their life? Hell No! I’m the lucky one. Let’s see, the gratitude list was endless, yet I’ll only write a few here. I’m grateful to dance to my favorite song. I am very grateful for all my friends and their loving support. Despite the bitter temperatures, I’m grateful that I’m warm right now because others may not be. And, I’m grateful for my good health, since so many people around me are sick.
As I wrote, I saw my words take shape: Gratitude is an attitude adjustment – just look at the spelling: GR Attitude… looks like Great Attitude to me! So when we have those moments, and oh yes, we all get them… have an attitude adjustment. Count your blessings and recognize ALL that you are Grateful for today and everyday! Those January Blues quickly faded into a GREAT Attitude!
In the Spirit of Love and Light,
Warmly,
Rosemary Augustine
Observing More Than Numbers
Today is 1-11-11, not sure what the number means… but it is interesting to see when you write it. And there are more this year: 2-11-2011, 11-11-11… 11-20-2011… what a year for numbers. Maybe if luck has it… it might be time to play the lottery. More numbers today include the inches and feet of snow due to blanket the northeast. The time the storm is to hit and the time is will stop snowing.
How often do we think of these numbers – unusual as they may seem – in our daily life? As we speed along in the New Year, numbers are probably the furthest from anyone’s mind. Any more numbers to think about? How about the visa bill balance from holiday shopping? Maybe that hasn’t arrived in the mail yet… it will. What is your lucky number? What does it add up to? And do you recognize your lucky number when dialing a phone number, writing a check or paying by credit card at the store?
Numbers encourage observation skills, something we often overlook. However, with enhanced observation skills, we become more aware of our surroundings at any given moment – heighten awareness as I like to call it. How important are observation skills? Ever notice what a co-worker wore yesterday? The color of a car that pulled up next to you at a traffic light? Or the color tie of a TV announcer?
Observation skills go beyond seeing what is right in front of you. It is really seeing – more. If you sit and stare at a lamp shade (you may not see anything but the lamp shade – initially, but in time, you will notice the folds of the shade, specks of dust or the way the light extends from the lit lamp. Observation skills add a varied dimension to life beyond our daily routine and opens up a whole new avenue to explore.
Tomorrow, when you are searching for your car in the parking lot, notice the other cars and the color of the cars. Are there any cars that are red or yellow? Any colors that stand out from the other cars parked row by row? If you look, really look at something, you will see more than what meets the eye. It takes practice, but with practice, guaranteed you will see a red car and say “wow, there goes a red car.”
As silly as this sounds, start looking and see more… you just might find more than you expected - in numbers and in life. Keep Warm if you live in the snowy Northeast or anywhere else that’s getting snow!
In the Spirit of Love and Light
Warmest Regards,
Rosemary Augustine
Happy New Year!
As the last few hours of 2010 close upon us, here are a few things to write about in your journal:
- What was your big accomplishment this year?
- What was your biggest blunder, and most importantly, what did you learn from it?
- What new ideas were sparked and implemented?
- What did you miss seeing only because of lack of observation at the time?
- What did you give up and how do you feel about it?
- What did you do to improve your life?
- What did you create this year?
- Who or what was nurtured by you this year?
- What changed in your life – expected or unexpected?
- What did you accept this year – willingly or otherwise?
So as we move into 2011… let go of 2010 and embrace the new year, a new decade, and a chance to make this year better than all the previous ones. Remember, it’s your choice.
Wishing you a Very Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year! And remember, continue to write, journal, play and create. Your input is a necessary part of the Universe.
Warmest Regards,
Rosemary Augustine
12 Days of Christmas – Journaling Style
My favorite Christmas song is the 12 Days of Christmas (and a partridge in a pear tree!!!)…. however, the journal aficianado that I am… I just had to create my own based on some of the things you use when journaling… Hope you enjoy it! Sing is to the melody of The 12 Days of Christmas… of course!
On the First Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
A Red Leather Bound Journal.
On the Second Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
Two Fountain Pens and A Red Leather Bound Journal.
On the Third Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
Three Fine Point Sharpies, Two Fountain Pens and A Red Leather Bound Journal.
On the Fourth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
Four Colored Stamp Pads, Three Fine Point Sharpies, Two Fountain Pens and A Red Leather Bound Journal.
On the Fifth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
Five Gold Gel Ink Pens… Four Colored Stamp Pads, Three Fine Point Sharpies, Two Fountain Pens and A Red Leather Bound Journal.
On the Sixth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
Six 2B Drawing Pencils, Five Gold Gel Ink Pens… Four Colored Stamp Pads, Three Fine Point Sharpies, Two Fountain Pens and A Red Leather Bound Journal.
On the Seventh Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
Seven Assorted Highlighters, Six 2B Drawing Pencils, Five Gold Gel Ink Pens… Four Colored Stamp Pads, Three Fine Point Sharpies, Two Fountain Pens and A Red Leather Bound Journal.
On the Eighth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
Eight Rubber Stamps, Seven Assorted Highlighters, Six 2B Drawing Pencils, Five Gold Gel Ink Pens… Four Colored Stamp Pads, Three Fine Point Sharpies, Two Fountain Pens and A Red Leather Bound Journal.
On the Ninth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
Nine Dollars Worth of Glue, Eight Rubber Stamps, Seven Assorted Highlighters, Six 2B Drawing Pencils, Five Gold Gel Ink Pens… Four Colored Stamp Pads, Three Fine Point Sharpies, Two Fountain Pens and A Red Leather Bound Journal.
On the Tenth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
Ten ounces of White Gesso, Nine Dollars Worth of Glue, Eight Rubber Stamps, Seven Assorted Highlighters, Six 2B Drawing Pencils, Five Gold Gel Ink Pens… Four Colored Stamp Pads, Three Fine Point Sharpies, Two Fountain Pens and A Red Leather Bound Journal.
On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
Eleven Sheets of Vintage Paper, Ten ounces of White Gesso, Nine Dollars Worth of Glue, Eight Rubber Stamps, Seven Assorted Highlighters, Six 2B Drawing Pencils, Five Gold Gel Ink Pens… Four Colored Stamp Pads, Three Fine Point Sharpies, Two Fountain Pens and A Red Leather Bound Journal.
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:
A Twelve Inch Metal Ruler, Eleven Sheets of Vintage Paper, Ten ounces of White Gesso, Nine Dollars Worth of Glue, Eight Rubber Stamps, Seven Assorted Highlighters, Six 2B Drawing Pencils, Five Gold Gel Ink Pens… Four Colored Stamp Pads, Three Fine Point Sharpies, Two Fountain Pens and A Red Leather Bound Journal.
Merry Christmas To You and Your Family!
Warmest Regards,
