Autumn Leaves, Gloomy Winter, & Inevitable Transition

The Mindful Minute

By Pema Sherpa & Brendan Barca

Age-old wisdom for modern living. Each week you'll get 1 quote, 1 reflection and 1 action to help you lead a calmer, clearer, and more conscious life.

Quote:

“A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it."

- Dogen

Reflection:

Do you ever find yourself walking home from the grocery store with bags filled with fresh produce, cursing gravity for making your load feel so heavy? Chances are, you don't.

Yet, as we transition from the vibrant fall colors to the gloomy winter, many of us start to dread this inevitable change. But no matter how much we resist, the transition will occur all the same. Resisting it is no different than fighting gravity. When we do so, we unwittingly disturb our peace.

Action:

Take a moment to look outside right now and observe the graceful descent of autumn leaves. As you appreciate the beauty of each descending leaf, recognize that the fleeting beauty of fall is also the result of the inevitability of change. No matter how much you wish, it will not last a moment longer. And in the same way the impending winter will also pass in time and you will welcome the blossoms of spring.

With this newfound realization, will you truly experience winter this year instead of merely tolerating it?

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Have a mindful Wednesday and see you next week!

- Pema & Brendan