Noticing November is an invitation to pay attention to the unique gifts of this month and find beauty, healing and gratitude in the darkening world. Each week of November I’ll post a short reflection and a prompt to help you notice the grace in your own ordinary days.
The big picture at the beginning of this week is damp and dull. Winds and rains have beat most of the colour from the trees, and the morning dawns drizzly and cold.
I must admit I have few grand thoughts today. Indeed, I had been staring at a computer screen far too long, my mind tangling in on itself, going nowhere. The view out the window wasn’t much better, but I knew there was more for me out there than in here.
I dragged my boots on and squished a toque over yet-unbrushed hair. If you can’t write, you can at least walk.
November has a gravity that pulls toward the dark and brown. When the skies are grey and the trees are bare, where is beauty?
November’s beauty is held close to the earth. Cradled in the surrender of splendour. Diminished, yet concentrated in the form of seed and nut and berry.
I rummaged through the autumn detritus till I found them—the glossy chestnuts peeking out from their spiny pods. I popped them out and rubbed them clean. All the glory of a flaming tree now small enough to fit in the palm of my hand. I will bless and keep them close.
I wanted to tell you this week that little is much. That when the big picture is too dark or too overwhelming, look for the small wonders. Find the treasures you can hold, the comfort that fits in your fingers, the grace that slips into your coat pocket and quietly accompanies you through the drizzle.
Embracing the small reminds me that I, too, am held. It is enough.
This week, reach for the beauty that fits in the palm of your hand.
Notice:
Texture
Tiny details
Tiny things are often overlooked. Or if we do see them, we think we can take in their full picture with a glance. This week, take your time with these small wonders. Turn them over in your fingers. Then zoom further in (which, of course, is also further up), and see what surprising details you can find.
Remember that little is much in the upside-down kingdom.
God of the Small,
Hold me like a chestnut
in your weathered hand.
Warm the waiting life,
till I am smoothed and soothed
with your kindness.
Press me in your breast pocket,
Close to the heartbeat of
gracious, compassionate.
Amen.
How did last week go? Did the beauty hunt change your November perspective or pace?
I’d love to hear what you notice this week!
Tell me what surprises or delights you. Tell me what heals.
Join the conversation by sharing your observations and experience for this week in the comments here, and we can chat about how what we see is shaping our vision and healing our souls.
Follow me on Instagram and Substack Notes for more Noticing November photos.
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