Ah, September. This month crept up on me ever so slowly, ever so quietly. I somehow rushed full tilt through July and August and suddenly it’s September.
What does September mean to you? As a child, for me it meant the end of summer vacation and going back to school, getting a new school outfit and school supplies — new crayons! a new pencil case! — and the excitement of what the new school year would bring.
And even though this month brings us closer to a new turn in the Wheel of the Year, I cannot help but think of the newness that this month brings, the fresh beginnings at a time when the season’s energies invite reflection and preparation for the coming winter.
September Writing / Soul Work Prompts
Consider meditating or free writing with one or more of these prompts.
- How do you experience September?
- Has it changed since your youth?
- Is there anything you would like to reclaim?
- Or something new you would like to begin?
One song that always comes to mind at this time of year is Try To Remember, from the Broadway musical “The Fantastiks”, as heard in the video below performed by one of my favourite actor/singers, Jerry Orbach, who was in the original production. You may have known him from TV’s “Law & Order” but for me he’ll always be the original Billy Flynn in Kander & Ebb’s musical “Chicago”.
The lyrics of the song remind me to remember… to enjoy the turning of the seasons and the Wheel of the Year… and to follow our hearts.
If you have any challenges watching the embedded YouTube video shared above, click here to watch it on YouTube.
LYRICS , “Try to Remember”, from "The Fantastiks” Try to remember the kind of September When life was slow and oh, so mellow Try to remember the kind of September When grass was green and grain was yellow Try to remember the kind of September When you were a tender and callow fellow Try to remember and if you remember Then follow, follow. Try to remember when life was so tender That no one wept except the willow Try to remember the kind of September When love was an ember about to billow Try to remember and if you remember Then follow, follow. Deep in December, it's nice to remember Although you know the snow will follow Deep in December, it's nice to remember The fire of September that made us mellow Deep in December, our hearts should remember And follow, follow, follow. Music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones.
Andy Williams did a recording of “Try to Remember” that was a big hit. I never knew that Jerry Orbach introduced it on Broadway. Thanks for the link.
I remember that well! I was always a Jerry Orbach fan, and was delighted when I first saw him perform live in “Chicago” on Broadway. Andy Williams recording was great!
Andy Williams did a recording of “Try to Remember” that was a big hit. I never knew that Jerry Orbach introduced it on Broadway. Thanks for the link.
I remember that well! I was always a Jerry Orbach fan, and was delighted when I first saw him perform live in “Chicago” on Broadway. Andy Williams recording was great!