I totally stole this, but these are five great reminders as we enter into the Season of Autumn.
Radiate Beauty: Autumn brings an abundance of fall colors and textures. I love driving down Highway 44 in the fall outside of Valley Park. The reds, oranges, yellows, golds and rust tones of autumn are a feast for the senses. Autumn has long inspired poets and visual artists with vibrant landscapes and wondrous sunsets. Take time reflect on your own beauty and creativity and find ways to share it with the world.
Connect with Your Shadow: After the long, bright sunlit days of summer, autumn brings earlier sunsets and longer shadows. Fall is the season of the long shadows. It is a perfect time to look inside, for thoughtful introspection and shining the light of awareness on our own shadow parts. We are always looking for people to spend an hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesdays. Why not make it your autumn resolution to take some quiet time and grow as a child of God.
Let Go: Trees willingly and naturally shed their leaves after putting on a radiant fall show of colors. Is there anything in your life that’s ready to be released? Hoarding has become a national obsession. We now have whole industries dedicated to merely storing our STUFF. And we haven’t even thought about the junk we carry around in our hearts. Enjoy the brilliance of all that has ripened and come to fruition, but be willing to let go; it will pave the way for new beginnings.
Save for Lean Times: Even as birds and woodland creatures are enjoying the abundance of fall, they are also storing away portions of their autumn harvest and preparing for leaner times. Enjoy the blessings of the season, but remember to plan for the future. This is not the same as hoarding, because you are preparing for things that you will eventually use.
Find Balance: In a world of duality, balance is key. The autumn equinox signals equal amounts of night and day, serving as a reminder to find balance in our own lives. Everyone in our culture seems to have picked sides. There is no attempt to even begin to understand where another person is coming from anymore. “Here is my opinion and I am going to beat you over the head with it until you agree with me!”
Dare we find balance and begin to under- stand the heart of those who may disagree with us?
Father Kevin