I have a love/hate relationship with the word PURPOSEFUL.  When I read blogs about “purposeful parenting,” or “living with purpose”, sometimes it leaves me feeling like I can barely show up for the basics- let alone try to be amazing at the basics.

But right now, purposeful is a refrain in my mind. Not purposeful in striving for excellence, but just in using what I have already learned. Learning is only as helpful as the influence it has going forward. I am not climbing up out of a pit. I have already climbed. But we all live somewhere near the edge of a pit.  And I want to be mindful of what I’ve learned in the climb… so I don’t fall into it again.

This fall, I want to be purposeful in using what I have learned on that climb to a healthier, brighter Me.  My climb included having my hypothyroidism finally diagnosed, some cognitive therapy as my body balanced out over my first year of thyroid treatment (things get pretty mixed up in your head when you are living out of balance for a long time!), and discovering food allergies. But diagnoses and treatments didn’t get me out of the pit entirely. I still had to climb it, to learn how my body is wired, and then do something with that knowledge.

“The pit” for you might be an old habit, an old depression, an old addiction even.  Maybe you are still in it, or you are looking back at where you were from a higher place. But I’m so glad you are joining me on this journey, as I think out loud about what I’ve learned on that climb.  I’ll be sharing my journey, as  I Embrace Autumn, and  I look forward to meeting you, and having you join in the conversation in the comments!

For starters, what scent speaks Autumn to you? (I’ll tell you mine tomorrow!)

about the pics: The sun peeked out just before sunset, and I was in between piano students, so I grabbed the camera and ran outside, just in time to catch the sunset’s last rays glowing on our large oak tree. The few minutes spent chasing beauty did more to refresh my soul than any chocolate would have done- and it didn’t crash  my blood-sugar either! 🙂

This post is part of my 31 Days series: Embracing Autumn- So long Seasonal Affective Disorder!  You can subscribe to receive my posts daily in your email. Just pop over to my homepage, and type in your email in the little box on the right!

Big SHOUT-OUT to the NESTER, for hosting this fun blog challenge again this year! Be sure to check out the other great series being posted by all of my fellow-bloggers here!