From The Innkeepers

Change is in the Air
November 2021 Blog

Change is in the air-literally. Here in west Michigan, Fall is struggling to hang onto its season, because winter has already started to encroach on what should be the last weeks of autumn. We saw our first snowflakes today, and I’m not talking about just a few meandering flakes that melt as they hit the ground, but rather wet heavy flakes that stick to the grass and trees and turn our early morning world into a picture out of a snow globe. Looking ahead to next week though, there is in our forecast a few days at around 50 degrees. Personally, I am not ready for winter, as I have autumnal unfinished business in mind, one being the ongoing cultivation of a posture of gratitude for these changes, seasonal and otherwise. That point was brought home to me this past week in a conversation with a person from one of our retreat groups. She was talking about how everything changes with seemingly greater rapidity these days, how quickly the time seems to pass by, making it difficult to grasp the impact of what is happening as it is happening. She said she always feels like she is changed by her time here, as it is a natural slowing down such that this place has become a touchstone to her inner self where she has more of an awareness of life’s unfolding in the present.

This conversation with her made me stop and think about how change is imbedded in the very nature of time, and our only choice really is to try and capture the present moment and be present to one another and each other’s need as each day unfolds. It also strikes me that having a grateful heart is the key to learning how to live in the present moment. This month of the year traditionally points us in that direction because the arc of its days can move us toward an awareness of gratitude due to the traditions surrounding the celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday. But why can’t every day be a thanks giving day? How different would our world be if we were to wake up with gratitude for our first breath and go to sleep with gratitude for our last breath and all the breaths of the day in between? This would help us be more keenly aware of who we are, who we can be, and of the impact we have on each day that we live. Without even knowing it, we affect changes every day- they may be small and barely noticeable but we ourselves, as well as our families, our circle of friends, and the culture that we live in are altered by our presence. We in turn are changed in the very process of the unfolding of each day. There is a quote by Octavia Butler that sums this up well:
“All that you touch, you change.
All that you change, changes you.”

As we live in the midst of the changing landscapes of this season, both inner and outer landscapes, let us do so with awareness and gratitude. As this year begins winding down toward it close, we pause and say a blessing of gratitude especially for all who have ventured through our gates this year. We say a heartfelt “Thank you” for who you are and the spirit of yourselves that you so generously share with us.

Gratefully, from our hearts to yours,
Marcia, Pat, and Sharon