One Shot...

Autumn's first cold front is blowing across the Rocky Mountains this weekend, dipping the mercury into the 40s and 50s in Colorado. And once again, wintry clouds paint the sky and the aroma of changing seasons fills the senses. A morning on the patio with a blanket and a hot cup of coffee...Sarah and I love this time of year.

With autumn lurks a peculiar mystery, different from the newness of spring. We all know "April showers will bring May flowers." Grass will turn green, and trees will grow leaves again. Every spring in North America, nature has little chance of surprising us, at least for the lower 48.

Fall and winter, on the other hand, give no guarantees. Will it snow this year and how much? Will another ice storm freeze up the city for two weeks? Will we get rain instead? Will Florida get a freak cold weather day that lays frost in the panhandle? Yet this season calms my soul, despite the anticipation of winter surprises.

Autumn represents a change from summer's blossoming and buzzing to winter's withering and sleeping. Follow nature's lead for restoration and reflect on the year. Piece together that photo album or scrapbook you've put off. Start a journal--without using a computer (yes, some people still practice the lost art of writing with pen and paper). Read a book. Smoke a pipe. Go for a walk. Carve something out of wood. Bake something...from scratch.

Yes, it's difficult. The world demands much, and we allow busyness to suck the margin out of life, leaving us dry and exhausted. The good news is we have a choice in the matter. We don't have to march to the clanging demands. Make time for moments of peace and quiet this next season, and simply listen.

So I'm gonna help out today, get ya started on slowing the pace. Scroll to the bottom of this blog and select the song "One Life to Love." [Sorry! The song link was temporarily removed. I'll find another link and re-add!] If you can't hear it, turn up the volume. Resist whatever else is begging for your attention. Just sit down, take a deep breath, and listen to the song.

You only get one shot at this...

...then go share it with someone else.

-brock

"You only get just one time around

You only get one shot at this
One chance, to find out
The one thing that you don't wanna miss
One day when it's all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough, this
One ride, one try, one life...
To love............ " -- 33 Miles