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Natural Awakenings South Central Pennsylvania

Letter from Publisher - November 2020

Nov 02, 2020 06:38PM ● By Dave Korba

It’s an autumn like no other, and yet still familiar. The leaves are on the ground—a mixture of muted oranges, yellows and browns—mostly dry and crumpled, starting their return to the soil. Halloween motifs adorn the neighborhoods that match the colors of the fallen leaves. While the decorations are displayed, it’s uncertain if or how trick-or-treaters will enjoy them.

 

High school, college and professional fall sports are all in adaptation mode, taking place under unprecedented circumstances with tenuous schedules from week to week. Later this month, Thanksgiving celebrations with families and friends will likely be less attended, as precaution levels are still high.

 

Although life is different now and this autumn is like no other, comfort exists in the underlying familiarity comprising the consistency of nature and the reliable passing of seasonal cycles. Autumn is a time to reset. It is part of the natural annual cycle of birth, growth, death and rebirth—a journey through the reliable stages of seasonal evolution. This cycle provides a model for us to follow in evolving our own lives, bodies and relationships with ourselves, each other and our environment. It is a reflective time to slow down, go within, rest and prepare for the next stage of the journey.

 

Gratitude is a significant part of our reflection, especially during this holiday season. In this month’s Fit Body department, we are invited to extend that gratitude toward our body, shifting focus from outer approval to inner joy and acceptance. For any of us looking to consistently integrate some level of physical exercise into our life to achieve and maintain a well-rounded, healthy lifestyle, this compassionate approach of being thankful for our body can help empower our workouts. To find out more, read the article and also “Steps to Building Body Gratitude” in our Online Exclusives, found on the website in our “In This Issue” announcement.

 

As this unprecedented year winds down, it is with heartfelt and overwhelming gratitude that all of us at Natural Awakenings extend a sincere, ‘Thank you” to our readers, and especially to our advertisers, the backbone of our local communities. Please remember to patronize the advertisers you see in our pages and let them know you are a Natural Awakenings reader. As we cycle through another year, we affirm through our mutual support, that we can continue to thrive amid any adversity as we strive to feel good, live simply and laugh more.