What Autumn Teaches

The inspiration for this post came during A Touch of Reiki, while our sacred circle was sharing about the month that had just passed. Somewhere in the middle of everyone’s reflections, it suddenly hit me — wait a minute, how is it already November? Another year is quietly tiptoeing to its end!

Time really doesn’t ask for permission before it moves on, does it?

Autumn always has this way of making me feel both reflective and sentimental — a little wistful, a little mellow, but also strangely peaceful. It’s the season that gently nudges us to pause for a moment and look back at how far we’ve come (and maybe also at all the things we swore we’d do this year but didn’t… yet 😅).

It’s okay.

Maybe this is exactly what autumn is here to teach us — to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the colors of life, whatever they may be. Some moments have been bright and golden, others a little muddy and messy, but all of them have added to the landscape of who we’re becoming.

And like the trees, maybe it’s time for us to let go too — not out of loss, but out of love. To release what no longer fits us, what has taught its lesson, or what we’ve simply outgrown. There’s something deeply human about this season — how it mirrors our own cycles of growth, rest, and change. We can’t bloom all year round (even though we try). But there’s quiet grace in acknowledging our weariness, in accepting our human flaws and limitations — and still carrying a seed of hope for better days, for a better version of ourselves to emerge.

So as the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, maybe it’s a good time to ask ourselves :

How have we been living this year?

Have we treated ourselves and others with kindness?

Have we been truly present — or merely rushing from one thing to the next?

If your answer is “a bit of both,” you’re not alone.

So here’s a little invitation from autumn : Take a pause. Step outside. Breathe in the air. Look at the sky, the trees, the colors. Appreciate what already is. Because before we know it, winter will arrive, the festive rush will sweep us up, and we will be singing carols while wondering how we got here so fast.

But for now, let’s enjoy this moment — this in-between space of reflection, release, and quiet renewal.

After all, even nature knows the importance of slowing down.

Maybe it’s our turn too.