A Call to Autumn

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall” – F. Scott Fitzgerald

All photos © The Autumn Chronicles

A Leap of Faith

I have been thinking about writing for a long time. I have never had any particular aim or destination in mind but I have been craving a creative outlet, a break from the normal rhythm of my life. I have always found an excuse not to start, to hide away for fear of criticism or rebuke, to deny this part of me but there has always been a little voice, deep within, calling “what if?” What if you dared to take a risk, to cast off the shackles of your own insecurity? What if you dared to step outside of yourself and tried something new, without the comfort of being able to control the outcome or even the journey? What if you stepped off the cliff and let yourself soar above the clouds, weightless, gravity-defying, without fearing the pull of the earth below?

Wouldn’t it be nice to start something and retain that feeling of hope and expectation forever, before it gives way to fear and self doubt? How would you view yourself if you believed in your powers instead of looking for reasons not to begin?

All of this has led me here.

Why Autumn?

Autumn is so much more than a season. It is not just a transition step from warm breezes and brilliant sunlight to chill-tinged air and nights that draw close. Autumn is a metaphor; it is a metaphor for the impermanence of life, for beauty that is fleeting and that must be savoured while we are lucky enough to experience it. Autumn is the shaking off of things that no longer serve us in order to make way for new growth and the roots of new possibilities. Autumn is for storing, for re-filling the cup to ensure there is enough to last all year long, for preserving, for committing to memory, for reflecting and remembering.

It is easy to fall in love with summer, in all its joyful, obvious beauty. Who doesn’t love the long, warm evenings spent in the company of loved ones or the chance to live life outdoors where we transcend the boundaries of our homes? It is harder to love that which cloaks itself, that asks for dedication and perseverance in the pursuit of its beauty. One might wonder if the effort expended in the search for such beauty makes it all the more meaningful when it is found?

A Step Forward

So, here I am. Full of musings and ponderings about the meaning of life and my interpretations of it. Encouraging myself to take this initial step and be vulnerable, to share parts of myself that I usually only reserve for those closest to me. Attempting to slow down, to shine a light on those things I find most beautiful, to pay closer attention to the world and all the wonder that is contained within it. I am so very grateful to you for being here to walk this path with me.

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