Embracing Fall

 Autumn, the season of mists and fruitfulness. If spring stands for birth and invigoration, and summer stands for youth, then fall stands for maturity, sophistication, and wisdom. 

I've always wondered why autumn is such a sidelined season. The summer and winter months hold such importance in our lives. Spring too is a season that is always eagerly anticipated. Then why does autumn not hold such eminence in our lives? This season teaches one about growth and development. It teaches us to stand tall in the face of adversity, to never quit. It teaches us that falling is a part of life and this shouldn't hinder one's growth. This season makes one resilient. It emphasizes how vital it is to embrace the present, let go of the past, and prepare for the future. 

"Autumn is proof that change is beautiful".

The last autumn that I saw made me learn some valuable lessons too.

During October, trees reveal the true colors that they've hidden all year. 

I now realize that people have an October too. I have seen people show their true colors when something valuable is at stake. I have known enough of hatred in a trivial period of one and a half-decade. And at this point, it's gotten easier to differentiate between allies and foes.

I have learned to let go of pride, ego, and regret. Equal days and nights during the autumnal equinox have taught me the notion of equilibrium. 

How astonishing it is that one can grasp ample knowledge from a season!

 Autumn makes you fall in love with everything around you. The darkening nights, the misty mornings, the vibrant hues, the cooling temperatures, everything describes this season so well. Autumn often ushers in cooler breezes that allow you to keep the windows open (after months of blasting the air conditioning). 

In India, festivities are always around the corner. One important occasion that everyone awaits is Diwali which is usually celebrated around this time of the year. The intertwine of autumn and Diwali is something that makes the latter a festival worth the wait. 

With a little nip in the air, as the dark blankets us pretty early during this time of the year, Diwali illuminates everything around and within us, reiterating the very important lesson of how there always will be light at the end of the tunnel. 

The building anticipation for holidays is what makes autumn even better. 

I am so glad that I live in a world where there are Octobers. I sense a deep correspondence with this beautiful month. I am not a major summer fanatic. If I'd had to choose one month over all the others, it would be October. The idea of sitting under a warm blanket, gazing at crimson sunsets with a cup of hot chocolate in my hands sounds enthralling to me. 

This prelude is something I cherish before the biting winters kick in. On a brumal October day, the warm sensations and comfort create the perfect setting. October gives off romantic vibes that cannot be unfelt. The ambiance is nostalgic. After all, the season of nostalgia is all about a cascade of crispy leaves, comfy sweaters, cinnamon buns, and cozy candles. I just wish this season was interminable. 

As autumn hits us this time, and the festival season draws nearer, let’s hope that the rekindled hope it brings with it permeates all our lives.

To hope, rejuvenation, recreation, resilience, courage, and strength - let’s embrace all that time has to offer.