It’s that time again. The first blasts of autumn can be mighty bracing, coming as they do on the heels of summer heat. You rummage in your closet for a jacket before going out with a touch of sadness at summer’s passing, an awareness of the fleeting nature of time. Dread wars with a touch of excitement at the thought of winter storms to come.
The air crisps. Leaves turn shades of yellow or orange and twirl into drifts. Barns display fresh cider banners and fat pumpkins sprawl outside grocery stores. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and there’s a hint of Christmas.
If autumn brings an end to things, why does it feel so much like a beginning?
After the disruptions of summer, it’s good to return to routine, you decide, and let the rhythm of life adjust to your schedule. With renewed vigor, you apply yourself to work. There’s a lot to do. Harvest calls to you, and the house needs to be readied for winter. With a twinge of anxiety, you realize it’s time to consult with family members about Thanksgiving and to plan Christmas.
During such a busy season, it can be easy to overlook the pull of nature. You glance up while doing dishes and admire the beauty of a misty morning or the pattern rain makes on the window. While running errands, you notice the way tree leaves stained in shades of red, orange stand out against a grey sky. But that’s as far as it goes.
It takes a strong mind to resist the flow, but if you can manage to go on a fall walk with friends or family, you’ll reap rich rewards. Trails and pathways usually have less foot traffic than in summer, and physical exertion is often more pleasant when the weather’s cooler. Setting aside time to spend with those closest to you allows you to reconnect at a time when daily activities tend to carry you apart. Talk about the things that matter most or about nothing at all. Just be. Crunch leaves under your boots. Say hello to a squirrel or watch a bird in flight. Breathe life into your soul.
Drive somewhere that deer browse, rivers run, and branches twine above the roadway. Watch brightly garbed trees sway in an age-old dance. Listen…
Can you hear the melody?
