Fall is on its way in a few weeks. According to the Five Element theory from China, the season of autumn is an invitation to reflect and let go. Nature models this by dropping the mature leaves so the new buds can grow. There is no sense of mourning or holding on. The leaves come into their full expression and drop off gracefully; completion of their life cycle.

Many eastern cultures look at maturing differently than we do. If you make it to a certain age you have achieved success. You now have time to turn inward and reconnect to your essence. Are you feeding your spirit?  Are you laughing?

The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity said: “Man sacrifices his health in order to make money and be a success. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he doesn’t enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die and then dies having never really lived.”

Life is change not permanence. If we accept that we get to be happier. Autumn is a time to let go of anything that isn’t working. Remove clutter, clean out closets and drawers. Let go of negative attitudes or behaviors, judgments and criticisms, or maybe we need to forgive. Finally let go of that hurt we are carrying or that grudge against someone. Holding onto these hurts is hurting us, not the other person. Is it possible to forgive? Or maybe the better questions is: can we afford NOT to forgive?

When you make peace within, you are taking your energy back. When you refuse to let go of upset or anger, the other person is holding your energy, and you have given them power over you. Forgiveness does not imply that the actions taken against you were ok. It simply means that you are done with it. You are choosing to close the door on that experience, learn what you can from it, focus on yourself, and move on.

Abraham Lincoln said”we are just about as happy as we make our minds up to be”. We can choose our attitude. We can choose how we respond. In this beautiful season ahead, we are reminded to just let go of everything we no longer need. Recognize when it is time to drop the old with grace and dignity so a new thought, feeling or belief can blossom. AAAHHH, now doesn’t that feel better?

Ardis