Fall Will Always Be My Season of Renewal

I have always loved fall. I know spring is usually associated with renewal. The ground thaws, flowers return, and the trees begin growing again. I understand why people feel that way, but fall has always given me the feeling of beginning again. As a child, I looked forward to new school clothes and the smell of the freshly painted rooms at school. I also remember the gentle fall breeze against my face and the rustling of leaves as I walked. A new school year meant a different teacher, unfamiliar lessons, and another chance to learn.

That feeling stayed with me. Even now, I notice the first day when the air changes. It may still be warm outside, but the heaviness of summer has lifted. Something feels different. The change is small, but I recognize it. Adulthood taught me that a new season does not always announce itself so clearly. When I was a child, I knew exactly when summer ended and school began. Life became less predictable as I grew older. Sometimes a change was already happening before I understood what it meant. I could feel unsettled without knowing why. For a long time, I believed peace would come after a problem had been solved. I thought I would feel peaceful when I knew what to do or when life became more certain. Life did not work that way. There was always another decision, another responsibility, or something I could not control. I had to learn how to find moments of peace while I was still waiting for an answer.

My work with Sonic Reiki helped me understand this. I learned to pay attention to what was happening within me before reacting to what was happening around me. When I feel unsettled, I sometimes sit quietly and tone the vowel sound Eee. I do not use the sound to make a problem disappear. It helps me become quiet enough to listen to myself. Prayer, breathing, and silence can help me in the same way. Gratitude became part of that practice. I do not believe gratitude means pretending that everything is fine. If I am disappointed or hurting, I need to acknowledge that honestly. Gratitude helps me remember that the difficult part of the day is not necessarily the entire day. Sometimes, before I go to sleep, I think of three things I appreciated.

They are usually ordinary. I may be grateful that I completed a piece of writing, that someone called to see how I was doing, or that I rested when my body asked me to stop. I do not search for a profound lesson. I simply remember what was good. This year, my body reminded me that it does not always follow the schedule I make. I may have a full day planned and then realize I need to slow down. I have not always welcomed that message. I am beginning to respect those quieter days instead of judging them by how much I finished. Sometimes listening to my body is the most important thing I do. I have also learned that every question does not need an immediate answer.

When I push too hard for certainty, I can become more confused. If I step back and allow some time to pass, I often see the situation differently. The answer may not come all at once, but I begin to recognize my next step. Fall gives me a natural time to reflect on these lessons. I think about what I want to continue. I also notice where my energy has been going and whether I still want to give so much of it there. If I decide to give something less attention, I am not saying it never mattered. I may simply be ready to use my time differently. Today, fall still brings me back to the little girl who was excited about new school clothes and the smell of fresh paint. I no longer return to a classroom each September, but I still recognize the feeling that came with it.

Something is changing, and I have another opportunity to begin. I cannot control every change that enters my life, but I can slow down before I respond. When I listen to what my body is telling me and remember what remains good, even a difficult day feels less overwhelming. No matter what season of life we are in, we are never too old to begin again!

Linda Sylvester Linda R. Sylvester is a bestselling author, intuitive healer, and founder of Sonic Reiki™. With more than forty years of experience in holistic health and wellness, she helps others explore sound, awareness, and the body’s natural wisdom. Her writing reflects a lifelong journey of healing, spiritual growth, and personal transformation.. Sonicreiki1@gmail.com 
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