Of all the seasons, autumn is by far my favourite.
I’m fortunate to be able to spend a significant amount of time outdoors, and during autumn I tend to lose myself within my surroundings, become more reflective, and focus on the beauty of nature and what our Creator provides.
My thoughts often drift between the beauty of my surroundings, gratitude, reflection and change, and just being present.
During which other season can you experience the multitude of colours & the daily swing in temperature like you can in autumn? The intensity and depth of colour and the vibrant back drop of nature is dramatic. Have you ever wondered why the change in colour? Why don’t the leaves just fall to the ground and wither away? Yes, I understand the scientific explanation, but I also believe this is the Creators way of drawing our attention, our focus, to Mother Earth. The gifts She provides for us, for our families, and sustenance for the future.
As with most things in life, I believe before we can truly reflect and take in everything autumn has to offer, we must first be present. Through presence and paying attention to our surrounding and our environment we can see and better understand the subtleties of our lives and the world we live in.
I have often heard autumn called “the season of change”. It’s also the season of harvest and the season of the hunt. As I reflect, I’m filled with gratitude for where we live (our natural resources), and how we live (our freedoms). We are blessed with fields and farms, fertile ground for crops, vegetables and fruit; and we are blessed with clean water, fresh air, and open space for wild game.
As autumn brings the change in colours, I reflect on changes in life. As trees and plant life change colour and drop leaves that are at the end of their lifecycle, I reflect on what changes I need to make, discarding pieces of me that are no longer needed.
This occurs in nature to provide opportunity for new growth. For me, these changes may involve old habits, thoughts, beliefs… or even relationships (both personal and professional). All have served me well, even just by experience, but if they’re no longer healthy and supportive then its time discard them and make way for new growth and development.
The following quotes by Robin Wall Kimmerer, from her book Braiding Sweetgrass, resonate with me:
“To be native to a place we must learn to speak its language.”
What does autumn speak to you?
“Paying attention is a form of reciprocity with the living world, receiving the gifts with open eyes and open heart.”
Are you able to be present in your surroundings? To turn the quiet up and the noise down? To breathe in nature and all it has to offer and most importantly to be grateful for what you have?
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