Fall…all ready?!

Photo by Thirdman: Pexels

I cleaned and refreshed the hummingbird feeders in the yard for likely the last time today. I noticed a couple of hummers earlier in the week but have not noticed anyone the last couple of days. They move south in the fall and return in the spring to our area. Along with the darker mornings, spent flowers in my yard and leaves that have started to fall; I hate to see my little hummer friends go!

The season change is a reminder of the reality that change is a constant.

I have to admit that accepting this reality isn’t always an easy task for me to do. I am a creature of routine and habit. Sameness is easy and comfortable. Change often is not.

On the other hand, sameness can get old, boring and dull and change does bring growth and new opportunity.

Since I don’t have control over the sun and how the earth moves around it, I probably need to adjust myself to that which I can not change and remember that which I can change is my perspective and attitude and way of thinking.

Some things are certainly easier to recognize my lack of control over. Others are not so easy to determine. My wise self the blend of my emotion mind and reasonable mind can help me to make that determination.

The Serenity Prayer offers a useful tool to tap into our wise mind when we need to:
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Becoming aware of my resistance thinking is the first step towards my acceptance of change. We need some quiet internal space to accurately see where our thoughts are leading us. Once I recognize my resistance I am more capable of making the distinction between what I have and have no control over.

So, ok then, I can change my thoughts to what fall brings rather than what fall takes away: fall brings apples, less weed pulling to do, pretty colored leaves to look at, cooler temps to wear fuzzy warm sweaters in, mom’s yummy apple pie, a brightness in the color of the sun, meals with mashed potatoes and gravy…suddenly fall doesn’t seem all so bad!

What helps you accept change in your life?