Each Season is the Reason.

The tree outside my window appears to brighten its dazzling display on a daily basis. Autumn has it in its full loving embrace while it breathes its techni-colour presence then reflected through the tissue-thin membrane of its leaves; each with its individual splendor. A season of celebration is upon us, the abundance of the preceding season pours forth for all to acknowledge. The leaves with-hold nothing, knowing theirs is the prequel of the coming long, dark slumber of winter. Row upon row the trees, will then stand stripped of their ceremonial frocks. Without their collective canopy, they face naked and seemingly more vulnerable, the approaching tempests of winter storms. Meanwhile, the leaves form a quilted mosaic, soft and giving below the trees while gradually giving of their base elements back to life's cyclical call.

How easy it is to delight in the wonders and mystery of nature. How easy is it to forget that those same wonders and mystery exist within me and me within it. What will it feel like to deepen that knowing and connection, to a consistent and more stable presence - that of my very "nature?" I want to know! Not, like I might know the contents of a book, but rather intimately and personally like a friend that has experienced many seasons along with me; and though there is a glow of familiarity, a wink and a nod which speak instantaneous volumes, which could be reduced to "I know, I was there."

Even still untold mystery continually invites a further exploration as each "friend" can discover more about themselves and therefore, the other. A life long dance of familiarity and intrigue. Just enough creative tension so that familiarity doesn't become stifling and the unknown is not given such stature that it is a source of terror. A gentle incremental courting of the mystery can entice and reveal blends of previously unknown attributes, opportunities and gifts. It will be a constant companion, no amount of energy directed toward it will subdue or "defeat" it, yet it is not necessary to yard the carpet completely from under my feet in order to "challenge myself" or in order to entertain the charade that I will champion "against" the unknown "adversary." Control, not relinquished readily the illusion of predictability however becomes a limiting influence that can dash the best of friendships upon the rocks and is equally damning if turned upon myself.

How then, to turn the fear of the unknown to playful curiosity. Right relationship with self first and then with the mystery, would follow by extension. To know yourself is of great value, however, to conclude there remains nothing further to know bleeds the sweet nectar of life, to leave in its stead a barren resignation soaked landscape, a sight seen through sore eyes, that know not from whence they might be soothed. Mystery then, can be a life long ally or, a scourge lying in hiding, it becomes a choice.

Perhaps life represents then, the courtship dance which facilitates moving between these extremes, ideally, in a positive generally peace inducing direction. Though a mindset of resistance and adversarial relating would best be released altogether, perhaps a beginning can be made through consideration of such ideas as "better to know your enemy" or even "love your enemy" the former may reveal there is more to love about your enemy than fear (or further still, whom you consider your enemy was in truth, your friend. The latter then, has power to transform, thereby allowing those qualities that present as impediments to soften and transmutate into expansive attributes that continue to move mountains to reveal new doors and to swing them wide open.

A season of darkness approaches, one that fans fears flame of death and despair. However never throughout the course of light's "absence"has it vanished completely. Silently and invisibly light's infinite reach and influence continues to orchestrate what will one day appear as the magnificent spontaneous blooming of the next season. While inordinate amounts of time and energy can be directed to doubt or the certainty of finality, futility and inevitability, a debut has been in the works all along. A stunning metamorphosis lay concealed in the low light - no light. Seeds lying in wait to be germinated and incubated pre-existed even the shoulder season before the "dark." Each contains a rhythm of its own, within a rhythm co-joining them all. Each operates in infinite macrocosm and the micro-equivalent. All are inevitable and more important necessary.

Celebrate them each or collectively, for in all is the time to be in-joy!