November…The Ghost Leaf

Above is a photo of a striking white leaf I saw on my walk yesterday. It’s ghostly and unexpected presence inspired me to write my blog - late as usual - but I often just have to wait until inspiration comes!

November is here and the ghosts feel somehow closer - not the frightening kind, but the soft remembering ones. In the quiet of late Autumn, they sit beside me by the fire like familiar companions, reminding me where I've been, before I step into whatever comes next. The unknown...

The friendly ghosts sit silently. I know they know me. And I know who they are. They gently remind me… your job is not who you are, your car is not who you are, your looks are not who you are, not even your body is who you are. You are simply on an adventure, just trying things out, to see what you like, to see what you don't... because you can, because it's temporary, and because - the ghosts tell me, it's all on the way "home."

I left the leaf where it was. It’s placement felt very definite against the oranges and yellows around it. And I took its message home with me…it's ok to be different. And nobody knows whats coming next.

So for me, November is a month that feels final - not in a sad way, but in a way that asks for acceptance. The plans that didn’t unfold, the dreams we may have had in January, the small victories and quiet disappointments - all of it finds its place here, in November’s stillness. The year’s lessons begin to settle, finding their place within us. Ready for the final dance of December…

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”

— Albert Camus.

And my song for November if you can be bothered - a suitably haunting version of a well known song - this is worth a listen and give it a chance.. it takes a minute to start, then it really hits home about 2.5 minutes in & just gets better ❤️

The Sound of Silence by Disturbed.

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