Beginnings

“Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” ~Fred Rogers

On the drive from northern Michigan last week, I noticed a few maples showing blushes of red. And this week, the temperature in southeast Michigan is cooling down with the earlier sunsets. Sweater weather. As much as I appreciate the beauty of fall, these signals announce the end of long summer days and strike a melancholy chord in my heart.

Autumn is an apt metaphor for aging. Autumn asks us to pause and take stock. How many seasons do we have left? Are we spending our time wisely and well? Are we worrying and complaining, or looking for happiness and satisfaction where we can?

In the old tradition of my Celtic ancestors, autumn marks the end of another year. But today’s quote reminds me to think of the harvest season as an opportunity to look ahead, to begin again. What will you do to welcome another season in your life? ~CL

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