A Second Spring

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." -- Albert Camus

Welcome back, everyone!

It's been a while, I know. I randomly took August off of blogging, for a multitude of reasons.

a) I was organizing, instructing, and examining the advanced leadership classes at the pool

b) I had company over from Scotland, my sister returned from her extended stay in Australia

c) My computer caught an unfortunate virus and crashed.

So, it's been a busy few weeks finishing up work, entertaining company, and moving into the new house. By the way, we are starting a blog about living environmentally in a student house over at sustainable shots. Check it out, we'll be updating regularly in no time!

Anyway, back to the blog.

I've been trying to enjoy the summer as best I can, with work, entertaining, and getting things done. Most people love the summer months. I do, as most, enjoy warm weather.

But by far, my favourite time of year is fall. I crave the fall all year. I love the change of colour, the smell of cold air in the morning, the crinkle and crunch of leaves underfoot. Some people find fall depressing, as if it were a time of slow decay and sadness.

But think of it this way; all the trees losing their leaves are sowing seeds for next spring. Really, it's a time of great change, of an old generation passing onto the next. Thus the meaning of Albert Camus' quote; "every leaf is a flower"; as every leaf turns colour and glides down through the air, more seeds are spread for trees to further flourish in the spring.

I love fall because I find it refreshing. The cold snap of air that hits your face in the morning is a wake-up call; an alarm to rouse you from that seductive, sleepy pull of hazy summer nights. It reminds you that there are things that need to be done, but at the same time, it requires so much of your senses to experience the full breadth of autumn that you're almost preoccupied with it's beauty.

"Autumn is the eternal corrective. It is ripeness and color and a time of maturity;
but it is also breadth, and depth, and distance.  What man can stand with autumn
on a hilltop and fail to see the span of his world and the meaning of the rolling
hills that reach to the far horizon?"-   Hal Borland

Autumn makes me remember what I'm driven to do. It reminds me that time passes quickly, that each falling leaf is a passing second -- but each second should be enjoyed for what it will be worth later. 

As I mentioned, autumn is a time of regeneration. What a wonderful time to go back to school; to learn bits of information from older generations that can teach us about the past and to help us understand what's to come. A time when nature ensures that life goes on is also a time when knowledge is passed on.

My suggestion to you is to go out and enjoy the fall weather; don't think of it as decay so much as a time of great change. Grab a chai tea, take some time on the bike path, have a good think, and get ready for the school year. 

Take a minute to reset your goals; make a goal for the day, for the week, for the month, for the year. It'll help you be a little more driven and focused. It doesn't  have to be an academic goal. It can be anything. For example, mine are:

Today: Practice harmonica for at least 15 minutes.

This Week: Learn 3 new songs on guitar.

This Month: Transfer all written lecture notes to OneNote as soon as I get home.

This Year: Look up sources for assignments as soon as I get them.

And, last but certainly not least,

Forever: Be nicer to everyone. :)

Ah, also, if you're in Peterborough or somewhere with decent bike trails or nice neighbourhoods, go for a nice little cruise on your bike; you'll feel awesome after, especially with the right playlist.

And do I have some great fall songs for you? Of course.

The Ballad of Hugo Chavez -- The Arkells
Winter Winds -- Mumford and Sons (current favourite)

Arizona -- Kings of Leon

Sweet Disposition -- The Temper Trap

Meo Bloonasir -- Sigur Ros

Don't Stop Believin' -- Journey

Peaches and Cream -- The John Butler Trio

Hoppipolla -- Sigur Ros

Bobcaygeon-- The Tragically Hip

Helpless -- Neil Young

Supersonic -- Oasis

Warning Sign -- Coldplay

King of the Road -- The Proclaimers

And just for fun:

We Speak No Americano -- Yolanda Be Cool feat. DCUP.

Enjoy!

See ya outside.

-- C