“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” ~Unknown Autumn is here, bringing with it a nagging sense of unease. Up until this point, we are generally comfortable with the passage of time. Winter gives way to spring, and spring leads to summer. As the days get progressively longer and warmer, our mood and general outlook on life improve. It feels like life is continuously getting better. But the moment we see that first yellow leaf, we worry that time is running out. We realize that the year, once so new and full of promise, is slipping away like sand through our fingers.
But it doesn’t need to feel this way. You might think that time is going by too fast, but efforts to slow down or freeze time are futile. As Alan Watts wisely said, “You cannot grasp it, just as you cannot walk off with a river inside a bucket.” Like a river, time’s nature is to flow. Any attempt to stop time from passing is an attempt to go against the basic rules of reality. Resistance to change is one of the leading causes of unhappiness. Yet, the natural world is never static- it’s in constant motion. As the philosopher Heraclitus taught over 2,500 years ago, “The only constant in life is change.” To resist change is, essentially, to resist life. Clinging to the belief that things should always stay the same only leads to frustration. Change alone doesn't make you unhappy. It's your attachment to the way things used to be that causes distress. Autumn is a reminder that endings are a natural part of life’s cycle. Without endings, new beginnings wouldn’t be possible. So, instead of resisting the falling leaves, why not embrace the changing season as an opportunity for personal growth? Take the time to reflect on your own life and consider what you need to release in order to move forward. As Pema Chodron reminds us, "When we resist change, it's called suffering. But when we can completely let go and not struggle against it, that's called enlightenment"
1 Comment
10/31/2024 03:59:36 am
I wanted to express my gratitude for your insightful and engaging article. Your writing is clear and easy to follow, and I appreciated the way you presented your ideas in a thoughtful and organized manner. Your analysis was both thought-provoking and well-researched, and I enjoyed the real-life examples you used to illustrate your points. Your article has provided me with a fresh perspective on the subject matter and has inspired me to think more deeply about this topic.
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About The AuthorNick Hughes is a massage therapist, yoga instructor and co-owner of Well Being. Influenced by the ideas of Alan Watts, Eckhart Tolle, Ram Dass, and Deepak Chopra, Nick presents his unique take on human existence with the goal of helping others live a happier life. Archives
October 2024
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