Turning Off the News and Breathing in the Season
I took this photo a second ago from my armchair. It’s 7.40 on a crisp morning. The fire burns nearby and the dogs sleep. I captured it because the sun appeared suddenly from behind clouds for the first time today, soft and gentle. It disappeared a moment later, but even on a cloudy day, the colours of autumn bring so much delight to my heart. They always have. Perhaps your own favourite season is different to mine, but if you experienced autumn here, you may just be swayed!
Sunny days are more common than cloudy at this time of year here in Anaiwan Country in Australia. It’s a magnificent season. The burning heat of summer has departed, gifting us with nurturing warmth from the sun.
(Here’s one I took yesterday afternoon.)
I missed most of last autumn, unable to pull myself away from my writing. I viewed it out this window as I typed away, ignoring its pull due to the enjoyment of creating new works. It was crazy really, since they were independent releases with no set due date. There were brief walks, but no real long periods of soaking it all in as I wanted to keep writing. It was the same for winter, my other favourite season. Gone without my embrace.
From 25 Rejections to a Million Readers and The Purple Chair Series, the creations of those seasons, are now out in the world.
Either way, I promised myself to be present for this autumn and winter.
I am permitting myself more time of just drinking in the magnificence.
There’s also another reason I am honouring its call.
I am sure I am not alone in this - I don’t think I am - but my sensitivity to the darkness of humanity at the moment needs the nurturing of nature to keep my heart well.
Until Covid time, I was never a viewer of the news. Major events always came to my attention via the conversations with others who were. I could then read more if necessary. During the Covid era, however, daily news became a habit and one that has taken massive willpower and discernment to break.
I’ve written before about the Lucas Nelson song, Turn Off the News and Build a Garden. Australia’s own songstress, Melanie Horsnell, also does a lovely cover of it. Both versions are on the usual streaming channels. Whether you are building a garden or not, though, turning off the news is healthy for the heart.
It’s a fine balance between being empathetic towards our sisters and brothers, seeing them going through horrific upheaval, and recognising that we also need to stay well in our individual hearts.
Despite not following many people on social media and, as a result, curating a positive scrolling experience for myself when I do indulge, I was feeling my energy waning and my heart in pain due to extending my viewing to other pages. Since late last year, I couldn’t pull myself away from those reporting from inside Gaza or from news of the always-heartbreaking destruction of our forests and natural beauty. I found myself with tears almost every time I went online. Even a quick read of any news now seems enough to kill my joy and set my eyes watering.
Are you the same?
I think the world is too much right now for us sensitive souls.
There will always be darkness with the lightness. There always has been. But we need to be discerning in what we choose to focus on.
It’s not insensitive to tune out for a while.
It’s loving ourselves enough to recognise that we can’t bring light to the world if we don’t.
With love,
Bronnie.
PS. Some other themes covered over the last month at Life and Wonder with Bronnie Ware include:
When Craziness is the Only Way
Yes, It’s Absolutely Possible to Live Without Regrets
The Tools I Use to Defuse Stress
Your Legacy May Not Be What You Think
New posts coming in the next fortnight are:
The Joys of Getting Older
How to Stay Grounded When the World is Shaky
