Autumn’s Lessons

Some think of fall as a melancholy season, when things die (though in a dramatic fashion) as winter waits in the wings.  I love the richness of color and textures.  I like the contrasts of autumn and the slowing down of things.

Nature teaches us valuable lessons in the fall if we are open to them.  Perhaps trees illustrate best what we can learn, as they don resplendent, though temporary, wardrobes.  As the hours of sunlight diminish, trees slow down; leaves lose chlorophyll and that allows other usually overwhelmed colors to emerge – oranges, reds, and golds.  Those leaves eventually drop and the tree rests, content to dream of a glorious spring.  The fallen leaves compost into new soil that helps other trees and plants grow.

Autumn is a time for us to slow down, shed some of our trappings – mental, emotional, and physical – and get back to basics.  It provides time to think about priorities.   Autumn is a season of accounting.  I find fall a good time to regroup and consider what I have accomplished and what I would like to pursue in the coming year.  How do I want to grow – as a person, writer, artist – and what steps should I take during the winter to prepare?

Fall gives us permission to take a deep breath, reflect, and then set our sights on new adventures.

Author and educator Ilan Shamir, shares advice from nature in his “Advice from a Tree” lesson.  Here are some additional words I think our arboreal neighbors would give us in autumn:

Show your true colors.

Go for the gold.

Let others see the real you.

Conserve energy.

There is always next season!

This fall I will continue to work on my next book – researching all around Virginia – and work on one of my new passions, art journaling.  Watch my blog for updates on both.  Thank you for stopping by.