Happy first day of September! It’s amazing to me that we are already 2/3 of the way through the year and that fall is quickly upon us!

As we head into the autumn season, I can’t help but to think about changes. As the seasons of the year change, we are presented with a special opportunity to sit, be, and to reflect upon whatever changes we ourselves may be going through. I personally cherish these opportunities for being present to the parallel process that I find to often be occurring between my own internal experience and the experience of the greater world around me. By doing so, it helps me to feel more connected to the cycles of nature.

As I sit here today witnessing the beginning of September in its ever-heated Colorado beauty, I am struck by the realization of marked contrast inherent to fall. In one sense, fall is associated with “harvest,” “bounty,” and “abundance.” Yet, the flip-side of this is what is left after the bounty has been harvested- we find ourselves approaching the seemingly barren darkness of winter.

Within myself I am aware of my own feelings of contrast as I grow into my own greater Self. I reflect upon the seeds that I have planted in both my personal and professional life, while looking consciously and objectively at the fruit that those seeds have yielded. While some things have already come to fruition, I recognize that not everything is quite “ripe” yet for harvest.

But I trust that in time they will be.

What seeds have you planted for yourself? What will be a part of your fall harvest? Please feel free to share by leaving a comment.

(As an interesting autumn-related aside, in Indian mythology, autumn is considered to be the preferred season for the goddess of learning Saraswati, who is also known by the name of “goddess of autumn” (Sharada). Saraswati also happens to be the goddess of music and the creative arts.)