10 things to look forward to at the end of Summer

September 11th, 2009 by Blue Sky Coaching

I always feel quite sad at this time of year. After all, what is there to be cheerful about? Lets face it, the summer has gone, the nights are drawing in and it's getting colder. Here in the South West we didn't get much of a Summer anyway, and Summer's passing means that the best of yet another year has come and gone! Thoughts are turning to 2010 already. Some shops (I will not name names) have already set out their racks of Christmas cards aiming to catch the ultra-organised amongst us who like to have the festive season "sorted" before the clocks go back. Soon we can look forward to such TV highlights as this year's M and S Christmas advert (what will Twiggy be wearing?) adverts for the boxing day sales and, heaven help us, Summer Holiday adverts. Ugh!

This year is going to be different. As a Coach, I know that life can change before your eyes if you look at it with a fresh perspective and that's just what I'm going to do. Yesterday morning, I decided to see if I could come up with 10 good things about the arrival of Autumn. I was worried that I wouldn't find 5 but the more I thought about it, the more I found to look forward to and I instantly became more cheerful and, dare I say it, found myself actually quite excited about the change in the season.
My list is below. You may agree or disagree with the things I have included, and I'm sure you can come up with alternatives.

1. Morning mists and dewy grass
2. Abundant berries and fruits
3. Bonfires
4. The heather on Dartmoor
5. Cooler nights - more sleep
6. The fun of preserving and pickling
7. Covering up in fancy tights
8. The pattern of the sun through the trees
9. Warming up to the hearth in a fleecy dressing gown
10. The leaves turning brown and gold

It was so easy to find 10 good things about something I was dreading, and so foolish to waste time being miserable about something I have no power over. The only thing I can control is my attitude and reaction to this imposed change - and I choose to find the fun in it and enjoy it! Bring it on!

If you are facing an imposed change, try looking for the good that can come from it. You may not see it straight away but keep looking. There is a gift in nearly every negative experience - sooner or later you will find it. Focus on the good and the bad stuff won't seem quite so bad after all.