because we change
Think about all of the transitions you've been through during this season of your life. Maybe you've began to raise a beautiful human being that exists with an infinite amount of possibilities or became a beginner again as a new college student. Perhaps you've had to navigate this portion of your life without the comfort of a hand you've previously held, tiptoeing atop the earth knowing that a part of your soul is in the sky. I like to think that parts of our selves, like leaves, fall to the ground during autumn too. And perhaps the only thing we will ever come to know is that it all changes; the leaves, the weather, our existence. I moved to a new state four months ago and said goodbye to some of my hearts greatest treasures. I left a job I loved and became surrounded by new people, the mountains, and a different culture. I became a stranger in a city I once somewhat knew, lost again amongst all of the streets and forever trying to find my way. There's nothing like change in the literal and figurative weather to stir things up inside, creating room for us to reflect, grow, and heal.I like to think of our individual cracks- the hurts, disappointments, setbacks, heartbreaks, failures, traumas, and losses- as the same veins that characterize our favorite marigold yellow, burnt orange, and red leaves. For the leaf, these veins carry vital nutrients; for us, the life lessons, experiences, and unknowns meant only for our hearts. I believe that some of our most beautiful lessons can be our most painful experiences, if only we might be able to find the meaning deep within ourselves. Within each crack is the ability to be transformed and soothed. I am not suggesting that we forget, but am gently offering that we don't have to hold on to everything. I believe we find the strength in our healing. The trees teach us that we must learn to let go, that we can find sweetness in the fall. My sweet friend, we can be shattered and still rooted to the ground. During this transitional period of your life, what would you like to let fall to the earth? We can let go of people that are no longer parts of our stories, experiences that only remind of us of pain. We can let go of the beliefs we've held on to about ourselves that feel real but are not true. We can let go of expectations about we are supposed to be be, knowing that we don't have to be everything for everyone. We can let go of the messages we've created or received about our worth and allow old behaviors to fall away, making room for something new.We can offer ourselves more time, sunlight, or compassion. We can be good to ourselves so that one day, we will open our eyes and find that everything is covered in light again.
my dear friend, our favorite season of fall only exists because things change.
you've transformed in beautiful and difficult ways; this is your gentle reminder that we can do hard things.