As I walk outside, amidst the nature around me, I gaze upon the beauty of Autumn. The beauty and art of letting go is what fall is all about. The leaves, one by one, eventually leave the branches to create a beautiful ground of yellows, reds, and browns… and as I walk, I find myself at peace.

You see, I haven’t felt at peace for quite some time. Letting go isn’t my strong suit. I’ve always wondered how to do so. I’ve figured out a way, but it’s my way… and here is what I do:

I think positive, therefore, I have positive self-talk. Not that “everything will be okay” but rather “It is OK, I’m going to make the best of what’s happening.” Second, I walk. Walking through nature connects us to the world around us, we become part of the great wonders that surround us. Have you ever felt, when you stand looking at the ocean, or when you are in an airplane looking down at the cities beneath you or at the sky’s clouds all around you, that you are so small compared to everything else? It’s a different feeling… usually, we feel we are on top of the world, that we matter most, that everything else is secondary. Then, when we see the vast sea or the sky above us we realize we are a part of the bigger picture. It puts things in perspective… we start to understand the interconnectedness between us all and nature. The third thing I do to gain serenity and peace within is actually by doing something external: writing. It’s expressive, it’s fun, and it’s magical. How can it be magical? Well, when you write you have the power to transform the writing into whatever you desire. Now isn’t that something? The last thing I do, and this is more recent, I try my best to not avoid my thoughts, whether positive or negative. I let it be. I don’t let it overwhelm me.

The Autumn leaves are falling and the art of letting go is happening all around us and within. Leave the bad behind, look forward to the good, and find that inner peace.