My children have always loved Halloween. As soon as they were old enough to understand, they would look forward to dressing up in their wicked costumes and asking me to paint their faces. Like many, we’d knock on doors, scream ‘trick or treat’ and fill buckets with orange and purple sweeties, eager to get home in time to welcome fellow trick or treaters at our own front door.
The year before last we didn’t trick or treat due to COVID. Last year, we were flying home from an October getaway so missed out on the spooky 31/10 fun yet. Fast forward two years (well, three really, if you work out the last Halloween we were here) and we arrive at this year. My oldest two didn’t want to go out. My daughter instead, had a group of friends over for a horror movie followed by JustDance and karaoke. My middle child chose to put his artistic talents to good use in a three-hour intricate pumpkin carving of Dobby, the house elf (image attached). And my youngest, who is now 10, felt that even he was getting a bit too old to don his costume around the neighbourhood streets. We went for a quick round anyway, chose the busiest ‘trick or treat’ road in our area (you know the one lit with pumpkins and decorated with spider webs, skeletons and slime). I watched him enjoying the fun of the night, meeting his friends along the way, yet simultaneously feeling reluctant to knock on doors. I felt sad as I realised that the period of my life where my kiddies get excited with their little cauldron buckets and cute costumes is coming to an end. Life is such a fast flowing journey. Time
steals things away faster than we’re ready to let them go.
I had to remind myself of the age-old cliché of one door closing and another opening.
Next year, we’ll open the new door to a Halloween party at home instead. The kids might not be keen to trick or treat anymore but I'm holding on to the truth that there are so many beautiful stages we’ve yet to discover and experience together.
So Halloween this year has reminded me of some yogic lessons learned in everyday life:
Enjoy every moment.
Be fully where you are.
Enjoy the moments, the postures, the stillness, but enjoy the movement and the transitions too. Because everything is transient.
Year on year, things change, but beauty always remains.
Sometimes we approach things with trepidation. When this is because of nerves, it’s advisable to drive forwards with courage and determination . But when it’s because something no longer feels right, it’s a good idea to bravely let go and enjoy the next chapter.
Yoga might seems like it’s full of tricks, but actually it’s not at all. It’s about observances, acceptance, being present, journeying inwards, doing the right thing at the right time, being determined and consistent, enjoying the moment, and also flowing peacefully and mindfully through the transitions.
And finding deep joy.
No tricks. Just an absolute and utter treat.
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