That In-Between Season

Autumn is somewhat like standing in a doorway. Summer is over. But winter isn't here. Autumn is the in-between season. The leaves twirl and dance as they fall to the ground, displaying a mosaic of colors and shapes as a new carpet for our daily walk.

But autumn can be a time of reflection on these past seasons, and preparation for what's to come. We know winter will be colder, so we'll need to unpack the warmer clothing looking for the cozy sweaters and wool socks, winter boots and mittens. We'll need to prepare our vehicles with winter tires, ice scrapers and check that the heater is working. We wrap up the smaller shrubs, cover the perennials and prepare the gardens for the covering of snow that will come soon enough. There's value in the in-between. Change can be difficult and this season gives us time to prepare.

As the seasons change, there is beauty and value in both, and both are needed. The beauty of the copper, gold and red leaves are exposed now, unique and individual designs once hidden.

This reminds me of life. The seniors who have gone before us, our parents who have taught us and prepared us to become the best we can be, are in the season before us. They reveal the beauty of their wisdom and teach us the important lessons we need to know, and as we spend time with them, giving them opportunity to share their stories, we can continue to learn and teach the generation behind us.

The beautiful autumn trees also show us that its ok to let go of what's not needed. As the leaves fall, they provide fertilizer for the growth in the next season. Whatever we've learned in the past season will prepare us for the next season. This next season - we maybe don't know what that will be yet, but when we're open to learning and willing to let go instead of holding onto what we no longer need, we'll be ready to walk into all that is being prepared for us.

It's okay to let go. We can't hold onto everything, hang onto the past. Some of what we carry might be getting too heavy - unforgiveness, disappointments, dreams we hang onto, or a house full of memories and treasures of the past. We might be experiencing a relationship that deserves more attention, a big decision about our career, a move, or the need for less commitments. We need to just pause to give ourselves permission to experience the season as it slows down, allowing us time to do the same!

Pausing won't make everything change immediately, erase disappointments or make difficult situations disappear. But it can give us a moment to remember who we are, what we value and what we want to carry with us into the next season.

What are you carrying that you no longer need?

The thing with Autumn is that it's an entire season. So, we can take one day at a time. One step at a time. We don't need to hurry through, as some things in life take time to reflect upon. You don't need to have the next season figured out today! And that's what Autumn teaches us in the beauty of this season.

With each season there is much to celebrate when we just pause and remember; just pause and be thankful.

You can simply begin where you are. Sometimes peace beings with a pause.

Linda

A Little Invitation:

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