Carpet of Fallen Autumn Leaves

Source: shinywish.deviantart.com

Autumn has arrived in the northern hemisphere. Deciduous trees transform from hues of green leaves to blazes of yellow, orange, red, and brown. Fallen leaves carpet the earth with gold.

While the vibrant colors brighten my day, the shorter daylight hours and longer nights dampen my spirits. The fallen leaves remind me of all that I have had to let go of along my journey through life. Each leaf: a person who, for good or for bad, has touched my life. Very few friendships have survived the distance and time.

I have learned to let go of the pain of losing the people I love. I have learned to let go of places that held special memories and happy moments spent with family and friends. But I am a long way from shedding the dead leaves that drain my energies and rob me of joy and peace of mind.

I am learning to let go of toxic predatory relationships that feed on my goodwill. I am learning to let go of the fear of losing what I had already lost or never was mine to lose. I continue to struggle to let go of disappointments, resentments, making assumptions, and passing judgments.

Letting go requires courage, a willingness to change the direction of my life, and acknowledgment that I do not live in a vacuum. I connect with others who connect with others. My actions or non-action have consequences in the grand scheme of life.

Autumn is upon us. It is a time to let go of our fears, prejudices, and ignorance that divide us, lest the approaching winter of austerity, desolation, and isolation find us unprepared.