autumn's beginnings.

i remember the days when my soul welcomed autumn. when my heart rejoiced in the arrival of crimson and saffron on the trees. in hues so poetically harmonious with the season's blue skies.

i remember the days when my soul yearned for autumn. when my eyes craved changing colours. even amidst a land of vibrant, eternal summertime.

yet i've observed a certain hesitancy towards the season this year. wishing summertime would again be eternal. knowing autumn. as beautiful as it will be. will be a mere flicker. a fleeting transition to a long winter. of coldness. of darkness. something in my soul has seemed quite resistent towards winter. to the point of overshadowing my adoration of autumn.

yet recent wanderings amidst the transforming tundra have inspired a rekindling of that love. observing a spectrum of shades. from deep burgundy. to glowing goldenrod. and everything in between. intermingled with present, but fading summer greens. the same colours i remember falling in love with. but instead of on the trees. the colours appear right where our feet pass. further reminders that this is indeed sacred ground.

and my soul seemed to remember the beauty of autumn. all over again. as quickly as the season may pass. it is meant to be embraced. to be celebrated. and as suddenly as winter may arrive, we must remember. winter has a mysterious beauty of its own. but we mustn't let worry of what will be cloud our appreication of what is. especially with regard to things beyond our control. like changing seasons.

and as we hiked amidst the early autumn tundra. there were things beyond our control. namely an ever increasing fog. reminding me of foggy autumn hikes of days gone by. where we continued blindly. following the path set before our feet. yet here, there is no path. and there is grave danger of getting lost in enveloping fog. and though i desperately wished to continue our journey toward the intended endpoint. in my innocent idealism. or foolishness. i eventually had to succumb to the wisdom and practicality of my fellow sojourners. so we turned around. much to my disappointment.

yet the journey soon began to speak. of the value of knowing when to let go. of the wisdom of being open to unexpected expereinces. of the beauty of the journey regardless of its outcome. i just hope my soul was listening.

and so i give thanks. for the chance to be amidst the colours of autumn. for wise traveling companions. for the present moment. the present season. the present journey. and whatever joys it brings.