As I was driving through the hills of Pennsylvania this weekend, I nearly swerved off the road trying to take in the beauty of the changing leaves. Every once in a while there was a swirling dance of leaves that spun through the air, danced across the road, and gently joined the others that had already taken their “leave.”

In many traditions, autumn is the season associated with the West on the Medicine Wheel and it’s no surprise. After months of tending to watering and weeding, we are blessed with the fruit of the harvest. In the abundance we’re reminded to celebrate, give thanks, and allow ourselves to slow down a bit. What are you grateful for? Where is there abundance in your life and how might you share that with others?

Equally important in this season is the dance of the leaves. As the Earth receives less sunlight and the air begins to grow colder, each deciduous tree sends out the signal that it’s time to prepare for winter. Bit by bit the place where each leaf is attached begins to seal. When the fluids stop, the leaf begins to change color. Eventually when most of the work is done, a gentle breeze blows in to finish off the job. Allowing the leaves to fall away helps the tree survive the cold, dry air of winter when it can’t afford to lose its water and food production is down. Nature knows what to do. It’s an amazing example of how to give up the struggles in our lives and learn to gracefully surrender to the ebb and flow of what wants to move in and through us.

I hope you enjoy these shortening days, the last licks of the summer sun on your face, and the invitation the West sends out to us each year to reflect and be grateful, to celebrate, and to find the beauty in surrender.

Mary also regularly writes for own blog http://kneadinglife.com/. Check it out!