Saturday, October 30, 2010

FALL

What a wonderful gift we have been given in the form of the four seasons, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Can you imagine if there were only one season all year round? Well if that were the case, then I don’t suppose it would really be a “season” at all would it? It would just be what we have all the time with no other climate to look forward too. Lucky for us that is not the case. I like them all and each has it own effect on me. But it is Fall that I look forward to each year with great anticipation.


There is something about how Fall arrives that captures the imagination. For some it has arrived when the green leaves begin to turn to every shade of browns and reds and yellows that marks it’s arrival. For others, it is the cool morning air that is a welcomed relief from Summer’s miserable heat. For me, Fall has arrived when it is properly announced by the honking gaggling sounds of the first flock of wild geese winging their way to escape the bitter cold of Winter that chases them southward. I’m never really convinced that Fall is among us until I hear the sweet, soft, distant music made by a couple of hundred wild snows, blues, or even Canadian geese as they navigate through the night. For me, it is reassurance that all is right with the world. I find great comfort that these sky travelers have once again navigated their way toward the promise of warmer climate and bountiful food. It is a great reminder that change is a good thing in our lives and it is not only natural, but inevitable.


Unlike Spring that gives us hope for new beginnings, Fall is a time for reflection. It is a time to shed the old leaves of doubt, despair, and uncertainty. As we rid ourselves of these distractions in our lives, Fall allows us to rake them up into a big pile and set fire to them. As the smoke lazily journeys into the sky, it takes with it some of our burdens that have accumulated over the year. As the pile is consumed, we can then happily make room for new dreams and hopes and anticipation of another year. We can choose if we burn a big pile or just a small one, for there is no shortage of these leaves. But we know from our past, if we don’t get them raked, piled, and burned, we will soon be up to our knees in life’s leaves, making it really difficult for us to move forward.


Enjoy this time of year. Take a walk in the woods and quietly observe nature at work. Every living creature is undergoing change and is going about the tasks of preparing for these coming changes. Old burrows are being cleaned of empty shells and unneeded clutter to make room for new stock to insure survival of tougher times ahead. I too, as nature has intended, will take stock of my burrow, clean out the clutter and make room for those things that will help me make it through whatever challenges the next season of my life will bring. I suggest that you pick up your rake and do some cleaning of your own. When you are satisfied you have done all you can do, I encourage you to sit down, relax by the fire, and enjoy this gift called Fall.

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