BOOK 08, CHAPTER 9, PAGE 25

Autumn is a reminder

that each of us is beautiful

in our uniqueness

There are many wonderful lessons that we can learn from autumn and the turning of the season. Nature knows that in order to maintain its vitality, it must go through austere periods, periods when it gets by with a bare minimum of everything, when its normal riches aren't on display for the world to see.

Every autumn, it must "lose" the beauty that it has put so much effort into creating and becoming, and it must spend time lying dormant, waiting for the time to come when it can once more burst forth in its splendor

Sometimes, autumn isn't a choice. Broken relationships, job layoffs, the death of loved ones, and many other things can push us into a period in which it seems as if we're losing everything. But we aren't losing anything, for nothing on this planet really is ours.

Instead, we're being pushed into a winter in which we need to lay low for a while, fulfilling our responsibilities and obligations, but realizing all the time that spring is right around the corner, just waiting for us to be ready for it

Our lives are full of cycles, possibly even more than those of nature. We go through chapters in our emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and other types of development. But we have to let chapters end if we're to move on to the next chapter, and we have to let seasons run their course if the next season is to come on time.

Tom Walsh

GOOD MORNING !

Seasons do happen for us all. Young and old. As my journal entries reflect, one Chapter ends and goes onto the next. Time goes on and we sometimes struggle with it’s swiftness.

Now I’ve reached the autumn season of my life. It is a beautiful season and though greatly mellowed by time, I can still feel full of vigor and much-inspired to continue with some of my endeavors. But I am aware that winter is not far off.

I see the autumn leaves, green and gold, dropping from the trees, leaving them bare for next spring and on such a day as this, my mind carries me back

Though autumn is not my favorite time, I actually welcome each season of the year and look forward to the inevitable, predictable changes it will bring. Should it not be so with the seasons of life?

Even though the pace is slower, crunching fallen leaves underfoot without the ever-pressing responsibility of rearing small children imparts a different sort of joy. I'm content to be in autumn and do not wish to relive spring or summer. Memories of them still linger—and suffice

Our taste buds and noses get in on the seasonal change too. This is harvest time. New crops of apples delight our taste buds with varying combinations of crunch, sweet and tart. Our diets seem to change come September. Light salads give way to hearty soups and stews. Soon fires will warm our homes and hearts as family and loved ones gather around

Memories of how special this time of the year has been for us is a good thing. But sometimes we can get stuck in our memories and lose sight of current possibilities. There should be a plaque in my home that reads, "Never let your memories be greater than your dreams."

It is comforting to surround ourselves with our memories. We know how the rituals of yesterday turned out. But, as the old saying goes, it is hard to move forward looking in the rearview mirror Yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not promised, so what we have is today.

The beauty of today is not dependent on the weather. We can have good days when it is pouring rain and on cloudless sun-drenched days. Our attitude can make today a wonderful day or just another 24 hours to endure

Our memories of autumns gone by can warm us, but the best part of this season is uncovering new surprises and abundant blessings that await us each new day

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

The book of life is lived in chapters,

so know your page number.

Fall wishes for

Simple pleasures

Beautiful memories

Love in your heart

Happy reflections

And much to be thankful for always

Ma

 

 

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