CONFESSIONS OF A THIRTY-SOMETHING YEAR OLD
Lessons From Fall
This is what it meant when they said long-suffering.
“The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let dead things go.” -Unknown
Fall is here and it’s bittersweet. I love the summer and I bask in its glory. Once mid-August comes around, I quickly start to miss the warmth of summer and the smell of neighborhood BBQs. I even being to miss scent of sunscreen along with the pungent smell of bug spray. The summer aroma is quickly replaced with pumpkin spice and warm apple cider. Hues of bright yellow and orange transition into warm tones of mustard yellow and burnt orange.
And here comes fall — when the days get shorter and the nights get longer. As temperatures change, the leaves follow suit. It’s a season of transformation, a season of change.
The leaves are changing and so am I.
They withstand rain in the spring and soak in the sun in the summer. They change from green to burnt orange with a touch of amber in Autumn and fall in time to keep themselves away from the cold winter.
The leaves are ever-changing. They don’t complain when it’s time to change.
As Mother Earth prepares her harvest for the cold months ahead, she transitions from the hustle and bustle of Summer to the nurturance and domesticity of Fall. She builds strength in her resilience.
A tree doesn’t deny its leaves are falling, it just accepts it.
In the five stages of grief, acceptance comes after denial. Once we accept what has fallen and no longer serves us, we continue to live. A tree continues to live, breathe, and grow despite what has fallen from its now barren branches. Even after its leaves go through their colorful transition, they fall. The beauty of the season is simply embraced.
So what am I doing this fall? I’m letting go of the warm summer nights and visits to the beach, the smell of zeppoles frying at the fair, the sound of Mister Softee driving down the street. But, I am also letting go of any negative thoughts that have lingered in mind — self-doubt, insecurities, toxic relationships.
During this harvest season, I am encouraging myself to continue to embrace the change that is a stronger, better version of myself — to continue to thrive even when things are changing around me or when others want to be cold towards me or try to rain on my parade. I am going to embrace my wholeness and accept parts of me that are no longer.
This season I am going to continue to fall in love with myself, with my passions, with my life. I am whole even when parts of me fall. I am resilient.
