Rise

“ The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.” – Zen Saying

A false fall is beginning to make itself known as I walk beneath a shower of gently falling rain-starved leaves, catching sight of delicate spider webs winking among dark luscious blackberries which I happily pick hoping to avoid thorny guardians. Only 7 mm of rain has fallen over the past two months making this summer the driest on record and it shows as I come across drooping trees beneath the lush green canopy of our urban forest.

The eventual end of this long dry summer is drumming a tattoo of longing upon my heart even though this same heart will find joy in embracing the moodiness and magic of a new season. September heralds all sorts of beginnings – the children who spent their summer days playing among the trees where I picnicked will be returning to school, there is a brand new day planner to fill up and intriguing venues to explore that might come my way.

Recently, I found myself at an early evening Kirtan concert being held at my local community centre by my yoga teacher Sandra. I had never attended one before and as I was being checked in, I knew I was in for a unique experience – the room beyond was peacefully darkened with only a scattering of tealights burning and a random string of star-shaped lights hung below the uncurtained large picture window. The chants that were sung that night were songs of love and healing, I inhaled them as I inhaled the whispered notes of burning incense wafting through the airy room. We were encouraged to sing along to the ancient verses and I was glad to see the Sanskrit words projected onto the screen along with some beautiful imagery – as time passed, I was amazed at how these unknown words fell from my lips. The sun soon began to set, painting the room with a twilight-laden brush, I felt happy for having booked this new experience so many weeks ago, rising up and in doing so, giving myself the gift of a lovely summer memory.

These days the scent of the sea fills our rooms, saltily asking us to start – start something, anything, try something new – there is so much out there for us to taste, see or explore, these are the gifts that September brings if we have the courage to rise and open up our hearts, to finally wake up and seize our dreams.

A favourite spot to spy on frogs although this summer, the small pond found beside our beloved trail in Stanley Park (Vancouver, B.C.) is overgrown with an algae bloom.

A shot of the miniature train winding through the urban forest where we walk after our forest picnics in Stanley Park (Vancouver, B.C.).

A wooden carving of the ever shy Sasquatch tucked behind lush foliage near the miniature railway tracks in Stanley Park (Vancouver, B.C.).

Another shot of the pond and the miniature train just off our beloved forest trail (now closed for the fall & winter season!) in Stanley Park (Vancouver, B.C.).