Tools for Transformation Tuesday: Seasonal Rituals

Over the weekend, the babe, her father, and I joined dear friends for an apple picking adventure. When we planned this mid-September outing, we envisioned leaving the city early in the morning and spending a full day enjoying the countryside, connecting, and welcoming the impending change of season.

Instead, we awoke to temperatures in the 90s with triple digits expected before day's end. Rather than pulling on long pants and light sweaters, we slipped into shorts and sprayed on sunscreen. Something about this doesn't seem quite right, I thought...

The air was thick and hot when we stepped out of our car. Between the soaring temperatures and high concentration of mosquitoes, our outing didn't last long. In less than an hour we had climbed the hill to the designated trees, collected our fill of fruit, and decided to escape to a nearby - indoor - dining destination. The day was far from wasted - we enjoyed the time with friends and appreciated the break from the city and our standard Saturday routines - but the trip felt somehow incomplete.

When we arrived home, we surveyed our spoil: dozens of apples covered our countertop - overflowing the fruit bowl and filling two refrigerator drawers. While I was reluctant to turn on the oven, I couldn't resist the urge to put at least some of our haul to use. While the babe napped, I threw together a crust, and when she woke up, she eagerly "helped" transform the dough and apples into a pie. An hour later, we pulled the bubbling pastry from the heat, and she giggled as she breathed in its sweet, buttery aroma.

And just like that: Fall didn't seem so far away. The very next morning, we awoke to crisp air and cooler temperatures. I like to think we had a hand in orchestrating the welcome change...

Simple pleasures can help us connect with the seasons and rhythms of life - even when nature doesn't cooperate. Next time you feel out of sorts, find grounding in a simple, seasonal ritual, and experience a shift in your perspective...