The joy of autumn has arrived. The forest's colour palette has begun to change into lovely foliage. When you go for a walk in the morning, you turn around. Everyone else, including the birds, is still sleeping at this hour. The cool breezes quietly blow through the air. You know that the autumn season must be here already when those misty mornings appear more often. The leaves have not yet turned colour. But you kind of know.

Autumn is more than just a season in which things die, turn brown, and drop to the ground. It establishes the circumstances necessary for warmer growth. The season for the soul arrives. I recently came across this beautiful quote that I believe exemplifies so many of my feelings this autumn. It states, "Watch the world around you with glittering eyes, because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who do not believe in magic will never discover it. " I adore September because it's that in-between season when the forest takes a moment to prepare for the upcoming winter months. I simply admire this time of year even though it isn't quite autumn yet; there is just the slightest hint of red and orange on the edges of the leaves; the big transition is about to begin, and it is just so exciting; all the animals are so busy getting ready for winter; there is just so much energy and life in the air; and all the animals talk to you because they are all so busy and they really don't want you to distract them or get in the way.

Whether or not we have the strength to approach each day with vigour, we do have the capacity to explore an infinite number of inner worlds and gain knowledge about both ourselves and others in the process. This is something that I believe relates to everybody who has ever been overwhelmed or even anxious over the responsibilities of living as a grownup and having such high expectations of oneself. It is crucial to recognize and appreciate each and every success. It can be anything as simple as taking the time to dress thoughtfully, being assertive, spending time baking, and taking in the autumnal atmosphere while allowing oneself some quality time that frequently feels out of reach in the midst of a hectic work schedule. Instead of viewing the day as a whole and seeing it as being full of many little possibilities for living well, I still put a strong emphasis on waking up each day and celebrating each accomplishment. Enjoy the atmosphere, especially this time of year when it starts to feel a little chillier, especially in the evenings and mornings.

We only have so many minutes in our lives, so I think it's critical to remember to fully appreciate them, especially at this time of year when many of us are experiencing a slowdown in life and the days are growing shorter, all of which are signs of impending change and the start of a new year.