Thankful Is A Season

Fall is here and it is a reflective and thankful season. Does the structure of that statement seem weird? Many would have said, “Fall is here and it’s a season of reflection and thankfulness”. While most may consider those two sentences to be saying the same thing, for me they are quite different, but by now, you know I am a bit peculiar in how I see things. The latter sentence presumes concurrence, and also supposes that you are practicing reflection and thankfulness. The opening statement does not make such assumptions, and this article is aimed at getting you to appreciate the merit in seeing Fall or Autumn as I do – as an opportune time to become reflective and thankful. So, let’s take a step back to acknowledge that on Wednesday, September 22nd, and one day following World Gratitude Day, we officially transitioned from Summer to Fall.

The transition is usually marred by cooler weather, shorter days that lead to waking up in darkness and by 4:30 PM, darkness surrounds us again. For some, it is a time of reprieve from the heated days of summer, and for others, the departure is dreaded. Yet, on the other side of all of that, is the fact of autumn being one of the most beautiful seasons with its vibrant colours. The leaves of summer eventually cascade to the ground in natural or windy splendor. Once accumulated, they form a cushioned base to walk amongst, with the leaves tumbling around your feet and flowing alongside your strides. Photographers are kept busy accommodating newlyweds, who adore the backdrop of autumn colours to enhance their wedding pictures. The cool air truly delivers crisp and lively images to complement those within the lens of the camera.

For sure, we can all claim moments of strife, but even as those challenges unfold, we have things warranting our gratitude. There is always an opportunity to sit and take in our surroundings. There is always an opportunity to direct our focus; even if in short bursts of time, to what we see in those surroundings that make us thankful. The foremost being that we have our eyes to see the miracle of nature evolving and preparing for its Winter hibernation. Those not having their sight, may find solace in the smells, and caress of the cooler air, and will in all likeliness hear, over and above those with sight, minute changes in the sounds that occur from one season to the other.

 
Not everyone in the world gets to experience such drastic weather and ecological changes, but if you do, it is truly something to be appreciated. Just take a look at the following picture courtesy of Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash. Yes, it can be argued that we can reflect and be grateful all-year-round, but in my opinion, the season most encouraging of it, is Fall.

Fall being a season for reflecting and abundant appreciation is a viewpoint that can be substantiated. After all, in October, Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving Day, in November Americans celebrate their Thanksgiving Day, and in December most of the world celebrates Christmas, another day to be thankful. Additionally, at the world level, in the same period of September to December, other celebrations are plentiful, and it is justified that World Gratitude Day kicks off the new season. Subsequently, we head into celebratory and awareness days related to heart, international music, temperance, inventors, internet, food, eradication of poverty, day of tolerance, toilet, television, mental health, elimination of violence against women, abolition of slavery, volunteers, human rights, Diwali, Hanukkah, Indigenous Faith Day, and so many others. What is in that list not to be reflective and/or thankful for? I don’t know about you, but I am certainly reflective of mental health, and thankful for toilets!

Let’s face it, the consciousness of humanity is on an ascending trajectory. Many are evaluating their lives, and are crying out for more substance, more balance, and more fulfillment. For sure, work in some form is necessary. Work enables us to cater to our essential needs. Doing so puts food on the table, a roof over our heads, etc. Except that we sometimes forget that one of those essential needs is having overall fitness (a.k.a. physical, mental, and spiritual health). This is required all year round, but autumn as a season really does encourage us to embrace the mental and spiritual aspects of our health.
 
Fall is a season of tranquility that contrasts with the heightened physical activity of the Summer months. As such, it is an optimal period to consider the journey you are on, where you wish to be, any changes that may be needed, and create a plan of action for now and for the coming year. It is a season where alone time feels comfortable. In contrast, summer is about gathering and connecting. In autumn, much like nature, we tone down to a somewhat hibernated state. We go indoors more. We socialise less. We sit more often than not. Taking in the pictures in this article triggers your mind into serenity. Indulge me by leveraging the calm that it evokes to pause and quietly breathe. Now commit to small reflective moments without TV, phone, social media or non-essential disturbances. Commit to having some of those moments outside amongst nature. Find a walking path or hiking trail to stroll and explore. Find a farm from which to pick fresh produce, be it apples, pears, pumpkins, beets, etc. Do so without time commitment pressures forcing a speedy return.
 
Life is short, and the older one gets, time seems to speed up. Finding new ways and viewpoints from which to unwind is a key aspect of living fully. With a changed perspective, the Fall period can be relied upon to support any efforts aimed to relax, reflect, and appreciate our blessings – small or large.
 
Fall or autumn is a season, but so is Thankful, or it can be. The difference is that thankful can run year-round, and if year-round gets away from you in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, then a natural fit to regain traction is slotting it in with Fall and each of its celebratory occasions.
 
In pursuing one’s career and/or business, the aim was to build a life. That life includes all of You – personal and professional. Taking on every hat, working long hours, and spreading yourselves thin is not the life you should envision. So, think differently, act differently, structure differently, and achieve different but greater outcomes. Use this season to start orchestrating for the life you want and the type of year you will need to move closer to the life you desire…
 
 Jenn Drakes is a Life Strategist and one of THE ACCELERATORS, a team of business-savvy coaches who work with SMBs to propel them forward. In addition to reading this article, take in one of the Employ to Innovate shows for insights on a number of relevant topics or schedule a call to discuss your growth needs – personal or business.