Aspire Magazine: Inspiration for a Woman's Soul.(TM) Aug/Sept 2019 Aspire Mag FINAL | Page 58

Decrescendo Reflect, Revive and Release with NATURE’S BY KATHLEEN GUBITOSI A s a child, my favorite time of year was back to school! I loved summertime but by the beginning of August, I would be missing my friends and wishing for school to start up again. It wasn’t until years later that I realized Back to School time, the months of August and September here in the US, is really nature’s decrescendo. Decrescendo is a musical term which means to gradually reduce in volume, get quieter or become softer, and that is exactly what nature is starting to do. Back to School time, with its retail sales of clothing and backpacks, makes us think this is a time of growth, when it’s really a time of heeding our inner voice, acknowledging the blessings received this year, and refocusing our priorities towards the things that matter most. My ancestors honored the passing of the seasons by following an astronomical calendar called, the 58 www.AspireMAG.net | August / September 2019