Fall

Today marks the first day of Fall, September 22. When I look outside there is nothing that tells me its fall other than the date on the calendar. The weather is still hot, the trees are still green. Yet I know that fall is coming. I'm looking forward to the cooler temperatures. I'm looking forward to the beauty of the colored leaves and the joy children have at playing in old leaves on the ground.

Hot chocolate. Hot apple cider. Football. Friends. Soup. Cozy evenings snuggled in the house. Walks in the cool chill air. Kids laughing and running down the street. All these things remind me of fall. I love fall. What a great time of year. Mother nature herself has taught us the importance of shedding what is old and dead to make room for new growth. Springtime buds wouldn't take place without the loss of fall leaves.

As I prepare to move into fall this year, I like to take stock of my life. What is in my energy, my house, or my life that I need to let go of? What is unhealthy, diseased or dying that I need to say goodbye to? Am I holding on to feelings of anger, fear or regret? Do I have unhealthy thought patterns that I need to let go? What in my life needs to be moved out to make room for the life I truly want to create?

This week I challenge you to find some quiet time and do a simple meditation. Ask yourself what do you need to let go of? Take a few moments to sit in that silence and notice what comes to the front of your mind. If you are not good at meditating, try journaling instead. As you sit in silence let your subconscious bring up small thoughts and ideas. Things that it is time to release. Imagine yourself an Oak tree preparing to let go of its leaves. As things come to your mind that need to be released allow both the leaf and that thought to be released. Watch the leaf fall to the ground, taking the thought or emotion with it. Send these things to the ground, away from you with love and gratitude. There is a special feeling of peace that comes when you release old hurts with love and gratitude. Let those feelings of love and gratitude slowly fill you up as you let go of any unwanted emotions, traumas, energy and thoughts.

As you enjoy the sights and sounds of fall, remember that fall is a time for letting go. It is a time that even mother nature uses for releasing and healing. Allow yourself the same sense of peace this fall.