Angeles Arrien

Honoring the Fall Season by Giving Thanks

The season of the Fall is the only season that has two natural functions: harvesting and letting go. Many traditional peoples of this continent consider the Fall season as the best time for "mending our lives" (doing forgiveness and reconciliation work); giving gratitude and thanksgiving for the blessings and harvest in our lives; and practicing "the give-away"--expressing generosity of spirit, and giving what we are not using to others who are of need. Nature bears its fruits for harvest in the Fall, as the falling leaves teach us about letting go with beauty and grace.

What fruits are you harvesting in your life at this time, and what attachments are you releasing or letting go? The Fall season models and supports these natural tasks for us at this time.
                                  

Monthly Practice:

• Give gratitude and thanksgiving every day until the end of November for the blessings, opportunities and harvest that has come into your life this year. To whom or what are you especially grateful for in your life this year? Write letters, call or send gifts of gratitude to those who have provided blessings in your life.
• Practice "generosity of spirit" by giving to the needy, providing anonymous acts of kindness, or clearing out what you are not using or do not need, and give it away to those who could use it.
• What forgiveness work or "mending work" do you need to do in order to feel complete with the experiences of this year or prior years? Use the Fall season to rectify, repair, and mend what is unfinished, strained, or unreconciled in your life this year or in prior years.
   
   

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