Darn Autumn or Divine Autumn

Oct 16, 2015

The season of transformation is here. The peak colors of autumn have arrived in the upper Midwestern United States. Leaves are dressed in deep oranges, robust reds and golden hues, accentuated by sunshine and the contrast of blue sky.  I have heard many comment that they love this time of year and I have to agree.  There’s a certain aliveness in the shifting winds of change.

A retreat guest recently confided that their job was changing and despite it being a positive change, they were still in a mindset of resistance. They had been doing their work for the same way for many, many years. Though they knew the change was inevitable, they were still uneasy. I could relate as I recalled so many times that I have pushed back on change. In fact, I am a bit envious of nature in that regards. Consider the animals that gather in order to migrate together. We don’t see them gathering to say, “Hell NO, we won’t go!” Right?  They don’t waste their energy in resistance to change. Their survival depends on a willingness to accept transition. 

In her book, The Seasons of Change: Using Nature's Wisdom to Grow Through Life's Inevitable Ups and Downs, author Carol McClelland uses nature to examine the seasons of our life and the natural cycle of change that is ongoing. She talks about the signs of each season as well as the tasks of that season and  the detours—ways we may resist the season we’re in. An example of a Fall detour may be to keep plugging along as if nothing is happening, pretending that no shifts are underway. But I am getting ahead of myself.

How would you recognize if you’re in Fall?  According to Ms. McClelland, you may sense a shift—a certainty that life in the future may not be the same as it has been.  You may be waiting for news, or simply feeling a bit unsettled or uneasy. These are signs of Fall. She also suggests that as soon as you realize your life has changed, your tasks are to prepare for what’s to come by searching for information, finding support, creating a safe place and looking at your options.  This is precisely what my client has chosen to do. They have committed to seeking further information and becoming a subject matter expert in the area which they’ve been afraid of change.  

Interested in hearing a bit about the other seasons? I’ll elaborate in the posts ahead. In the meantime, take a look outside. Observe nature for some tips on how to navigate through change.