FALL LEAVES AND LETTING GO

The days are quietly getting shorter as we move through the month of October. To some this may be a sad fact, but me? I love fall… everything about it. Back to school, pumpkin spiced everything!, the leaves shedding their greenery for a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors… sheer joy! And as daylight dwindles and the trees transform, I feel that we, too, are ready to let go of things we no longer need to hold onto.

What are a few things you’d like to let go of this fall?

And what does it actually mean, “to let go”?

Letting go is akin to cleaning out your closet. In the same way you need to get rid of outdated stuff – the socks with holes or that special sweater – you can only move forward when you get rid of what no longer fits.

But why do we procrastinate soooo much when it comes to doing this? Why do we hold on so tightly?

Sometimes we hold onto things because they define who we are, they tell our story. Some memories may remind us of happier times, while others trigger deep sadness. We may be holding onto loved ones we have lost, traumatic experiences, or even material “stuff”, but ultimately, all that we are holding onto is simply a vision in our minds. Our perceptions, thoughts and beliefs are the very roots which keep us tethered to our past.

When we decide to let go, we are not actually letting go of what is “out there” -rather, we make the choice to let go of what is “in here” – releasing ourselves from patterns in our minds.

The trees are powerful teachers. Connected to the cycle of the seasons, they know exactly when to let go, effortlessly. Their leaves turn colors, and then gracefully, they release them, floating softly down to Earth. They trust, without doubt, that the day will arrive, when once again their empty branches will be ripe with blooming buds.

If you are ready to let go, but unsure how, its not as hard as it seems…

Bless what happened.

Acknowledge and embrace your past and current circumstances.

Honor yourself for being strong enough to face whatever you have been through, and trust that all has and is happening in order to serve you on your journey.

And just follow the example of the trees – knowing that what you let go of today will turn into something beautiful in the future. Give yourself time.

Happy Fall!!