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Many of the trees are pulling back and getting ready to rest for the next few months. They seem unconcerned that most of their leaves are falling off and becoming compost for next year's growth. How different from we humans who hold on to everything like velcro. Autumn is the perfect time to let go of the things, people, and events that are no longer in sync with who we are becoming. Now is the time to go through your closets and give away any clothes that don't fit or that you have not worn in the last six months. Walk through your home and let go of anything you don't use anymore. Anything that is just a dust-catcher gets a ride to the thrift store. Someone else will put those items to good use. Spend some time looking at the various areas of your life and see what you need to release. Look at outdated ideas, pet addictions, ancient attitudes. Which of these are you just clinging to out of habit? Which ones really do not serve your higher interest? Gently let them go, let them float to the ground--and then don't pick them up again. They will make great compost for your next crop. Who do you need to forgive? Now's the time to do it. "Forgive" only means to let go of that person or situation so that it, or they, no longer rob you of precious life energy better expended on your creative pursuits. The people you need to forgive are the ones you keep playing mental dialogues with. You know, when you're driving down the street and discover that for the last three miles you've been telling so-and-so exactly what you think of them! Forgiving someone does not mean they are not a jerk or that they did not do something really stupid and mean to you. Forgiveness does not let them off the hook for anything they have done. It lets you off the hook of having to remember and resent them. Let them fall away from your life and thoughts so you will be free. They will receive the fruits of their actions without you having to do anything. Sometimes we might feel that we just cannot let someone go. What they did was so horrible, so unforgiveable, that even the thought of forgiving them makes us feel sick. Those are the situations that probably require the help of a professional therapist. Even after therapy, letting go can be difficult, but it is more possible then. If there is someone you really feel you can't forgive, then for your own sake, at least try to quit obsessing about them. Like a squirrel saving nuts for the winter, put the person aside in a little hole somewhere, cover them over, and tap the dirt down good. You can dig them out in the future if you find it is really important to obsess about them or if you need to do some therapeutic work on the issue. While letting go of what we no longer need or want in our lives, we have a perfect opportunity to acknowledge what we have to be thankful for. Most of us spend our time focusing on what we want or don't want rather than on what we already have. It is an ancient truth that if we don't appreciate what we already have, we close the channels to receiving more. Have you ever given someone a gift or helped them out in some way and then have them refuse to acknowledge it -- or act as if what you gave had no value? Didn't feel generous towards that person again, did you? The Universe works the same way. It is a wonderful practice to take a few minutes every day and list what you have to be thankful for. Even those in the worst situations imaginable have something to give thanks for. Most of us could fill several pages! What about life itself? What an incredible gift to be alive on this planet at this time in history. Yes, it is also a stressful time, but I wouldn't miss all this hoopla for anything and am very grateful to be here. What about the people in your life? Yes, I know, some of them are very hard to feel grateful for, so focus on those you can feel that way about. From the grocery checker to your postal delivery person, many people play an important part in helping to make your life more comfortable and productive. Be thankful for them. Make a list of material objects for which you are grateful. What about your home, furniture, dishes, car, bicycle, pens, paper, computer, electric lights, toilet, shower -- you really do have a lot to be grateful for. Don't forget your companion animals, if you have any. Imagine life without them and gratitude will flow! Autumn is a time to slow down and spend more time internally. Journal-writing, drawing, and other creative outlets beg to be attended to. Time seems to be moving so fast right now it is easy to get caught up in the movement and fail to take time for ourselves. Look out your window and take a lesson from nature. Slow down, let go, relax, and let yourself be nurtured. Then say "thank you" and realize how truly blessed you are. |
Autumn
is one of my favorite times of year. I love how the air gets
crisp and chilly and the rains begin. The hardest part is getting
up in the morning when you can hear the rain jumping up and down
on the roof and you know you'll see your breath when you poke
your head out the back door. Makes those warm covers and cats
curled up around you feel like lead --they just don't want to
come off!