As we come into Autumn, let us be grateful.

Always in the Autumn air for me I feel great things coming, and there is this feeling of transformation all around. The trees change their colors, and the days grow shorter and become crisp and cool, and soon we will have the heavy rains and then the winter will come. On the Red Road, we look to the West,  the direction of sundown. We use this time to reflect, to remember our past and those that are no longer with us. It is a time for forgiveness, this will set us free to live our lives in a good way, and we will be aligned with the Great Spirit. We can be grateful for the times we have had with our loved ones, and however they have gone, whether it be their transition, or that they have just moved on to another season in their lives, we can wish them very best, truly meaning it, and we will realize the freedom that comes with that authentic forgiveness. We can "do unto others as we would have them do unto us", and we can see how when we forgive, somehow we are forgiven as well. This forgiveness creates a space within us where that resentment used to be, and in that space we can choose what we will put there now. I will choose Love.

I am full today, I see how the Creator has given us everything. Any feeling of lack would surely be a making of my own. Abundance is all around us all, all the time. We need only truly look into each others eyes and we can see the beautiful gift of life. And, if we take an honest look at ourselves, we can see how the thoughts we allow and the words we choose to speak create our experience. Let us now become responsible for these thoughts and words and begin to choose them more carefully, with love and gratitude. Think to yourself; "is this thought or are these words creating for me the kind of reality I truly want for myself and those around me?" Choose to become a conscious co-creator of your life and choose the thoughts and words that will bring you the happiness you truly desire. Look upon others with exceeding tenderness and be grateful for them in your life.

This coming time of rain and coldness, followed by the dark winter, is a time for us to look inside ourselves and heal, to be grateful for all we have experienced in this past year, and to look forward to the coming year. How do we know joy if we never know sorrow? This summer I was blown away by the living, vibrant trees and foliage against the beautiful blue skies, the puffy white clouds with the glorious sun shining all her light everywhere. This is possible because of the contrast of the changing seasons, and because of the rains, and is so pronounced because we have seen the darker seasons where the trees and flowers are resting, patiently waiting to beam themselves again when it is their natural time to do so.

So, as the Fall comes, I choose to imitate nature, I am grateful and happy, and soon I will also be wet and cold. Hot baths and books by the fireside will replace open windows and cool showers. And I look to the Creator with trust that everything is in perfect order and that all is well, I forgive, and I choose love and sharing for my way. How about you?

Gratitude.