Posted: November 5, 2023   •   Posted in: Environment, Reflections

Thoughts on Autumn

In the past I have always felt a little sad to see autumn come around as I do love the summer months and feel quite a bit of regret that it is all over for another year.  Further to this I admit to finding winter quite hard and don’t always look forward to its advent.  However, I have been learning over a few years now to see each month of the year and the passing seasons as having their own value, so I now find I quite enjoy it.

A gentle unwinding

I see it not so much as an abrupt change but a gentle unwinding of the growing season, with all life slowly taking on reduced activity.  Having said that I am still surprised at how quickly the light reduces.  I’ve watched the swallows gathering each day until they left towards the third week in September.  I like the very still days when there is not a breath of wind but also find an autumn storm quite exciting.  With such an extended summer the leaves have been slow to change colour, but no doubt will do so now chillier nights are here and likewise the ground vegetation is beginning to die back.  I was sat a few paces away from a small mouse recently, clearly changing the bedding in his den – we all need to deal with the bed linen eventually.

Noticing small changes

As with all connection to the natural world it is always best to get outdoors and fairly frequently.  It is also often recommended you visit the same place regularly as then you are more likely to see changes.  There is a wealth of evidence that getting outside has huge mental and physical benefits for us and for those who find this too challenging there is the idea of sitting by the same window each day, noticing small changes. Furthermore, I was very surprised to find the birds were quite happy to visit feeders in my tiny front garden, next to a busy road and footpath.  A large, lush garden isn’t always needed.

A chance to let go

Try to live simply. A simple lifestyle freely chosen is a source of strength.  (Advices & queries 41)

I think the season offers much as a metaphor for personal development which may contribute to our spiritual awareness and our efforts to live in keeping with Quaker principals.  I often think of the epithet ‘In autumn, trees show us how to let go beautifully’, and find myself considering what would it mean to let go ‘beautifully’.  There is so much we may need to let go of.  It might be practical by simply losing some of the ample ‘stuff’ we all seem to acquire.  Also, it might be emotional, perhaps letting go of a past hurt or realising an episode in our life has come to its natural end, even that we need to let go of a relationship or friendship.

Rejoice in the splendour of God’s continuing creation. (Advices & queries 42)

In my opinion to do this beautifully we must engage with learning from the trees.  No tree loses all its leaves in one go, even after a strong wind.  Neither do they hurl them to the ground but let them gently drift away.  In letting go of things we need to follow suit, engaging in a process that is slow and gentle and, in many ways kinder to ourselves.  I often find I nag myself, saying ‘I must’ do this or must do that.  But if I replace these words with ‘I will try to’ or ‘maybe I might’ – it all seems much easier, more achievable and significantly more comfortable.

Moving on and embracing change

I also find I need to remember sometimes letting go is more nurturing than holding on.  Like many of us I can ruminate over a hurt or offence, replaying in my mind what was said or done and what I would have liked to have said in response.  But I have become aware how this leads to feelings of tension and in many ways, of experiencing that hurt all over again.  Feeling anger and hurt is perfectly understandable but there comes a point where you need to move on, for your own well-being.   I think it is quite likely that many of the hurtful actions that take place in society on both a small and a large scale may be due to people holding onto a past hurt way beyond what is helpful.  Vengeance is after all, driven by such underlying emotions.

I think if there is one message this season teaches any of us it is simply to embrace change wherever possible and as a gentle process whenever possible, summer does not change to winter overnight.

The art of living must be studied, as must every art. It calls for imagination, so that every advance, every change, is not merely a difference, but a creative act. Achievement, at any level above the lowest, calls for courage to hold on, in spite of current moods, and for exacting self-discipline. (Quaker faith & practice 20.21)

Gina (Beccles Quaker Meeting)