How Fall reminds us that transformation is possible
And invites us to ask what we can let go of this season
It’s officially Fall, y’all.
Yes, I capitalized it because I’m basic. I enjoy a good pumpkin bread, love all things flannel, and can’t get enough of a warm apple cider — or donut!
I have been reflecting a lot on why we all love Fall so much. Growing up in Texas, Fall didn’t really exist. It’s either hot — or less hot. Of course this has changed over time as climate change has shifted so many weather patterns, but even still there is an embedded culture here in the Northeast, that as hard as Starbucks tries to embody its spirit in pumpkin spiced lattes, you have to experience it yourself to truly vibe out on Fall.
My wife Jess and I went on a walk yesterday with some friends and I loved how much Mother Nature in this season helps me be more present — from hearing the crunching of leaves under my feet to feeling that brisk Autumnal air to of course, seeing the spectacular trees gently turning from green to red to yellow.
It’s enough to take your breath away.
Or in my case, it’s more than enough to invite some deep breaths, a slowing down, a level of presence that can be lost amidst the high energy of summer.
Learning from the Autumnal leaves
A few months ago — before eclipse season (eep!) — I remember distinctly Chani Nicholas saying in my personal chart to not take on more, to take it easy, that this coming eclipse season would not be the time to pile things on! Chani had warned me of the chaos that would ensue if I, a Libra rising, would take on more. Instead she invited me to let go of anything that I might not need, that might not serve me.
Of course, I did not listen.
As a rapid succession of opportunities came my way, all I could think about was how it would translate into home-reno projects and school savings. This decision was filled with hubris, ambition and a bit of an emoji shrug. In hindsight, I wish I had listened.
These past few weeks have been incredibly unsettling and I haven’t had much time or space for myself.
As I walked parallel to the beautiful Willowemoc Creek yesterday, I reflected on why I left the big city. There are, of course, many many reasons but one of the driving forces is that I was tired of burn out, tired of grinding. I was hungry for a simpler life, a certain stillness that only the mountains could provide.
When I think about the life I want to live and the life I live now, that gap is a lot closer than it used to be and though it is a little further than I would like it to be at this moment, this turning of the season is giving me a chance to reset, to reassess, and recharge.
On one of the parts of the path yesterday, there was overgrown bamboo on both sides of the trail, almost cocooning us in — protecting us from the other elements. It made me think of how I want to carve my own path, what barriers, walls, boundaries do I need to create the container of this thing called life? What old habits, patterns and behaviors do I want to let go of? To transform?
I renamed this newsletter to Just One Breath. earlier this year because I deeply believe in the power of transformation — that it is possible in just one breath, in any moment, that any and all of our decisions could change the course of our lives. This is what I mean when I talk about karma. I wrote about this last time, reflecting on my parents’ story.
And so I’m taking this moment to reflect on what transformation might come from Fall and inviting us all to look deeply at ourselves — and our pumpkin spiced lattes.
I, for one, am inspired by the turning of the leaves, knowing that no matter what may happen, we have the capacity to be bright, beautiful, ever-evolving and changing, that in essence, is and always will be part of our own story, our own nature — whether it’s this Fall or the next one, or the next one, or the next one.
That to me is liberating. And for that reason alone, I will be eternally grateful for my practice for giving me this insight and for the many many Autumnal leaves that fell so gently at my feet yesterday, reminding me where I want to walk.
So my reflection for you in this moment in time is:
How does Fall inspire you to let go of what no longer serves you?
How does Fall and Mother Nature remind you that transformation is possible? What do you want to transform to get closer to the life you want to live?
So beautiful. Thank you for the reminder of where I want to walk, and that I can choose at any moment.