When the sun rises in November, the bright orange glow of the sun waking up, casts the most perfect light onto the backs of the trees facing me. Yellow leaves look luminescent, alive in a whole new way. Backlit, so the front of the trees look as if they are in shadow. The Indian holiday celebrations of Diwali started yesterday. Diwali is celebrated by many Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists and is typically a 5 day celebration of light shining through darkness. Millions of candles are lit to symbolize different stories that all surround the same ideas of goodness (light) overcoming harm (darkness).
As the days get darker here in Ohio, all I really want to do is sit by candlelight and reflect, give thanks and turn inward towards understanding the layers of my life unfolding.
I am taking part in a November writing challenge. To write 1,111 words every day in November. I will be completely honest with you, I have only stayed true to this one day of the challenge so far, this morning. I write a lot, but to really sit down and track that many words--that is almost two full pages of 11 point font-- has been more of a challenge than I thought. That’s a lot of writing! My goal is to make it happen each day moving forward even though it is hard. The community platform (of almost 400 people!) being used to bring everyone together who is partaking in the challenge has inspired me. I hopped on there today to see what everyone was up to, what they were writing and to get motivated. A person in the group, named River posted this quote, with some insightful prompts:
The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.
—Joseph Campbell
1. What part(s) of myself have I cast to the shadowy depths of my unconscious?
2. Through bringing this up to the surface, what transformation can take place?
3. What unexpected or unconventional inspiration is here to aid me in this retrieval?
4. What treasures are waiting to be revealed?
I found these questions perfect for this time of year, this day, during this time of many people across the globe celebrating a festival of lights, Diwali. The many lights being lit, can reveal shadows otherwise unseen.
I wrote about love being one of my pathways through fear in my November Newsletter. To soften into a state of kindness towards myself I seem to be able to face the shadows that I fear.
I’d love to hear what these darkening days are illuminating for you.
What treasures are being revealed?
~~
My November playlist follows these themes of embracing darkness, making something from sadness, from nothingness, from heartbroken-ness and of course a little nostalgia that this season always brings. I hope you enjoy it and if you choose to make your own playlist to suit this season, I’d love to hear it!
Happy Friday, Happy Diwali, Happy November <3
Erin
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