Fall: a time to let go

Autumn is truly one of the most fascinating seasons of the year. Think about it — it's the season of change, the time when nature prepares trees to become stronger so they can withstand the harsh conditions of winter. And how do trees do that? They let go. They shed their leaves, allowing them to fall and create that beautiful, colorful carpet all around them. It's almost like they're putting on one last spectacular show before they buckle down and get ready for the tough times ahead.

You know, we're not that different from those trees. When we go through transitions in our own lives — whether that's physically moving from one place to another or going through an emotional shift — we also need to let go of things. We have to release the stuff that would otherwise hold us back and prevent that transition from being truly healing and strengthening for us. Just like the tree drops its leaves to survive the winter, we sometimes need to drop certain habits, relationships or mindsets that no longer serve us, so we can come out on the other side even stronger and ready to keep walking our path in life.

And here's the beautiful part — after enduring the cold and darkness of winter, trees burst back to life in spring. They bloom and blossom in the most magnificent ways, bringing joy and delight to everyone around them. We're the same way. Every one of us goes through our own seasons in life, and in each of those seasons, we're called to give the very best of ourselves, whatever that looks like at the time.

There's a deep harmony in all of this. Nature takes care of us, and we take care of nature. We're all connected in this incredible, ongoing cycle of life, growth, and renewal.

As St. Francis of Assisi so beautifully reminded us: "Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day, and through whom You give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor, and bears a likeness of You, Most High." — from the Canticle of the Creatures.

This reflection and the photos that accompany it were provided by Br. Octavio Duran, OFM.