“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

That line comes from the novel Anne of Green Gables, written by Lucy Maude Montgomery.

The surrounding text explains further:

“October was a beautiful month at Green Gables, when the birches in the hollow turned as golden as sunshine and the maples behind the orchard were royal crimson and the wild cherry trees along the lane put on the loveliest shades of dark red and bronzy green, while the fields sunned themselves in aftermaths.

“Anne reveled in the world of color about her.

“Oh, Marilla,” she exclaimed one Saturday morning, coming dancing in with her arms full of gorgeous boughs. I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn’t it?”

It’s good writing; the words dance on the page. It’s hard to read that bit of prose and not find yourself a bit calmer and more in touch with the beauty we often overlook.

What October has meant to me

As someone whose career was in education, October was always my favorite month. August and September were filled with tasks associated with the start of school. In November, the attention turned to the busy holiday season. Nestled in between is October.

So, when Anne says, “It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November,” I see far more than a crazy thought that would leave a gap in the calendar. Instead, I see a world that would merely change from one kind of busy to another. It would skip the chance for us to stop and enjoy the world around us.

If there was a new project I wanted to undertake, October was my opportunity. The same holds true today.

Relaxation and rejuvenation are also important. October provides the perfect atmosphere. With just a nip in the air, it’s cool enough, but not too cool, to enjoy coffee on the deck.

What does October mean to you?

How do you describe October? Do you think about it as a time when the hot summer days are behind us? Do you think about the trees turning wonderful colors? In a world that sometimes seems like it’s lost its mind, October is the perfect time to look around at the beauty all around us.

A chance for significance

October offers us a chance to use our time for something that will make a difference. Is there a project you’ve been waiting to undertake? Go ahead and get started. You’ll be surprised how much you can accomplish before the goblins come knocking at the door.

Do you just need to clean up your system? Are there tasks on your list that have been sitting there? Maybe it’s time to trim the fat.

Do you have maintenance tasks that keep your life running, but they’re being neglected? How could you clean up your productivity system so these tasks aren’t overlooked? They are the lubricant that keeps the productivity engine running.

October, however, gives us a chance to step up a level and see our relationship to the world in a larger perspective. Yes, Anne, it would be terrible if we skipped that opportunity…if we skipped from September to November.

Returning to Anne

Anne says, “Look at these maple branches. Don’t they give you a thrill—several thrills? I’m going to decorate my room with them…And you know one can dream so much better in a room where there are pretty things.”

To me, Anne suggests we give ourselves the gift of nice, organized surroundings, a place that gives our days pleasure and promotes dreams for even better tomorrows.

You and I work hard. We deserve nice things, pretty things. And with all the things we complain about, if we look around, there’s plenty of beauty that we’ve overlooked. Many of us have put dreams on hold until the time is right. Perhaps the “right time” is now.

Some years ago, my good friend Jason Womack wrote a book entitled Your Best Just Got Better. It’s an incredible title.

The oasis of October is upon us. And October provides an incredible opportunity.

Be sure to read the posts that follow during this month. You’ll get ideas for how you can “sharpen the saw” in your own life.

Don’t waste another October. It’s the opportunity to end the month better versions of ourselves.

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