Nuzzling November
Embracing Rest, Boredom, and the Beauty of the Season, Making Pumpkin Roll, Giving Thanks
Exploring the struggle to be well through the intertwined lenses of yoga and theology
When I think about my childhood in the Southern Hemisphere, one thing stands out: the constancy of warmth. Growing up in Australia, the seasons felt subtle, predictable. Winter was a fleeting visitor in July, and summers stretched long and hot. I couldn’t have imagined the dark evenings of a Northern Hemisphere winter—until I moved to London in my 20s.
Now, after decades in the northeastern United States, I’ve come to treasure the rhythm of the seasons, especially fall. There’s something grounding about these golden days, with crisp air and skies so blue they make you want to linger outside forever. For me, being outdoors is essential—my nervous system craves it. A long walk or even a short pause in fresh air seems to hit the “reset” button, calming my mind and body.
But let’s talk about something that doesn’t come as naturally: rest.
Sounds simple, right? Yet chronic stress makes true rest elusive. Recently, I decided to reframe my approach. What if, instead of aiming for rest, I sought out boredom? It might sound strange—striving to be bored—but I saw it as an honorable goal in the service of rest. Could I allow myself to sit with boredom instead of compulsively filling every moment with my oh-so-important to-do list?
Let me be clear: I know responsibilities matter. We all have them. But sometimes I prioritize getting stuff done over resting, even when I desperately need it. So I “tricked” myself into embracing boredom, treating it like a meditation of sorts.
Here’s how it worked: when I noticed I wasn’t doing anything—no planning, prepping, or checking things off—I paused and smiled. I celebrated those rare, unstructured moments. Look at me, doing nothing! I know it sounds ridiculous, but it’s the same principle as any other practice: you get good at what you repeat.
And you know what? There are benefits to being bored. I started to notice a few things happening afterward:
• I felt a little more rested.
• My thoughts clarified around something I’d been pondering for weeks.
• A new idea bubbled up unexpectedly.
So here’s my invitation: try practicing boredom. Let it surprise you. Maybe it will start with a smile or a little mental fist bump when you catch yourself doing nothing. It’s not about giving up responsibility—it’s about giving yourself a chance to rest in the spaces between. Let me know how it goes!
And if you need an extra nudge to step away from your busy day, grab your favorite sweater, lace up your boots, and head outside. Let the season remind you that rest, like the changing leaves, has its own beauty and rhythm.
What I am Reading
Dr. Catherine Cook-Cottone has written another spectacular book. “The Worry Monster” might be her best yet. And that’s really saying something. This time she has turned her writing and clinical skills to reach school-aged children with seven mindfulness practices to help children manage their worries. Written with age-appropriate descriptions of the practices and beautifully illustrated. I will be adding this book to both my personal and professional resources. I suggest you do too. You will not be disappointed. Do buy one for all your little worry monsters.
Preparing for the Holidays
Keep it simple
Slow down
Keep the focus on what’s important to you
Take a nap when you can
Take a few minutes to gather before the food is served and acknowledge each other, the land you are on, the beauty of those present, remembering those who are not present in some sort of heartfelt prayer or statement. Perhaps print out short prayers like the ones below and take turns reading them. Don’t be shy, make it meaningful and inclusive of all who are gathered.
Land acknowledgement
We acknowledge with gratitude that we gather on lands stewarded by Indigenous peoples for countless generations. We honor their deep connection to this land, their resilience, and their wisdom. We commit to listening, learning, and striving for justice and reconciliation. May our actions embody our gratitude and reflect our shared responsibility to care for the earth and all who call it home.
Prayer of gratitude
Loving Creator,
On this day of gathering, we pause to give thanks for the abundance of blessings in our lives. For the gift of breath that greets us each morning and the beauty of the earth that sustains us, we are grateful.
Thank You for the people who surround us, both near and far, whose love and presence enrich our journey. For the hands that prepared this meal and the hearts that share it, we offer our deepest thanks.
We acknowledge the challenges we’ve faced this year, and we thank You for the strength to endure, the wisdom gained, and the hope that continues to guide us forward.
Help us, in this moment, to slow down and recognize the grace woven into the ordinary—the laughter of a child, the warmth of a hug, the joy of a shared meal. May our gratitude overflow into kindness and generosity, extending Your love to those who hunger, who grieve, and who long for connection today.
Bless this time together, the food before us, and the conversations that will unfold. May our hearts be full and our spirits renewed.
With humble thanks and joy,
Amen
Recipe for Pumpkin Roll
This is a simple dessert that looks impressive and is ever-so-yummy. There is only one fiddly part and that is the rolling. I will give you step-by-step instructions on how to do it easily.
Ingredients
Roll:
3 eggs
2/3 cup of pumpkin puree (from a can is fine)
¼ cup of sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¾ cup plain flour
Filling:
8oz cream cheese (room temperature)
2 tablespoons butter (room temperature)
1/3 cup powdered sugar (or less)
Instructions
For the roll, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 10 x 15 sheet pan and line with parchment paper. Grease the parchment paper too. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well with a hand whisk. Pour into pan and bake for about 15 minutes. Once out of the oven, gently flip the thin roll onto a tea towel lightly sprinkled with powdered sugar. Then gently roll up and let cool completely. Make the filling by combining all three ingredients until smooth. Carefully unroll the tea towel and spread the filling over the roll then reroll without the cloth. See photos above.
Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 2 hours (overnight is fine). When ready to serve, unwrap, slice, and place on a platter. See photo below.
Tips
Have prepared tea towel and powdered sugar ready when you take the roll from the oven.
Make sure the roll is cooled completely before unrolling to spread out the filling. However, allow yourself enough time to do this within an hour or two. I have made the mistake of putting the roll in the fridge and trying to unroll and spread filling the next day. If the roll is too hot or too cold, it will break.
If the roll breaks a little bit when spreading the filling, don’t panic. The filling will be quite thick – use it to ‘patch’ the roll if need be. Then wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate. It will gel together when wrapped and cold. It can also be made ahead and frozen.
Once sliced, it looks very festive, light, and not overly sweet dessert.
Thank you for reading this far—I’m so glad to share this moment with you. Dear reader, I am truly grateful for you. Whatever you may be walking through right now, may you find the grace to glimpse the beauty that persists, even in the darkest times.
Be well,
Joanne