Turn! Turn! Turn!

My goodness, here we are in September! While fall does not officially arrive until September 22 - the subtle changes have begun to sneak up on us. As much fun as summer is, it is time to slow down and enjoy these subtle changes as we await the first waves of the bursting colors of fall.

Like the tree that is trying to hang onto the last green of summer, the crimson is bursting through some of our branches! For as much as we resist, nature keeps sending us the next step – ready or not! We notice the sun hugging the horizon a little bit sooner in the evening. I think this lets the little ones know that they need to hunker down earlier and prepare for the new back to school schedule. The sun's later arrival in the morning brings some crisp air that makes us want to snuggle in and hit that snooze button! When we do get up, we instinctively reach for jeans or leggings and a sweatshirt. The landscape is switching over from the bright flower heads of summer and taking our gaze upward to the brilliant pallet of oranges, reds, and yellows in the trees.

It's never the end of any season to me, but rather the beginning of the next. The transitions are an integral part as we move and grow with life's experiences. Perhaps it is a time to set goals for next summer, revisiting what you enjoyed or perhaps planning the experiences you did not get to enjoy, either way reflecting and giving gratitude for the season.

The seasons of our life come and go in much the same way if we recognize the experiences passed and give gratitude. There are the seasons of love, growth, children, careers ...all in their own time.

I personally enjoy the opportunity to slow down a bit, layer up, and cradle a cup of hot tea.

I love the lyrics from the song "Turn! Turn! Turn!" made popular by the Byrds, 'to everything...there is a season...and a time to every purpose under heaven.'

Enjoy the transitions, the seasons, and give gratitude for all of the purposes under heaven, knowing and embracing each season of life.

...always be the love that you are