It's that time again

Leaves carpeting the trail

As much as I love this time of year, for many reasons, I don't enjoy the rain as much as I once did, but the beautiful fallen leaves gracing the trail remain delightful. I'm feeling pretty good and watching the bounteous summer turning into autumn also makes me grateful for my ability to watch the show and play in the cool air once again.

The other thing that happens at this time of year is changing our clocks back one hour. It means that, although my clock says it's 4:30 in the morning, I need to find a subject that will inspire both me and my readers, and right now nothing is coming.

I did come up with the idea of discussing "the vicissitudes of life," whatever that means. Spending some time reading about what different schools of thought consider to be "vicissitudes" is enlightening. According to Buddhist thought, the eight vicissitudes of life are four sets of opposites: gain and loss, status and disgrace, praise and censure, pleasure and pain. The word vicissitude is a descendant of the Latin noun vicis, meaning "change" or "alternation," and it has been a part of the English language since the 16th century. It's not a word that you hear a lot these days, or a concept that is often written about, apparently. Or maybe I have just not been reading much of anything and I have forgotten about it.

Joy is a spiritual element that gives vicissitudes unity and significance.—Helen Keller

 I am always happy to find myself joyful, and although it comes sometimes without warning, I find myself looking for things that fill me with joy. I will sometimes be walking down the street in my usual neutral attitude, and suddenly I find myself feeling happy for no reason I can discern. Anything that takes my grumpy melancholy away is wonderful, even if I cannot exactly say why it happens.

Everyone has different techniques for getting through tough spots in life, and I often find that a walk will do it for me. After about a half hour or so of being outside in the weather, no matter what it is, I feel myself letting go of those things that hold back the joy of just being alive and ambulatory. And I have plenty of different types of clothing that will allow me to be outdoors and feel ready for the elements. That said, I find that I am not exactly thrilled to be heading outdoors in a rainstorm, but it sure does give me pleasure to face the vicissitudes of weather and not be forced indoors just because. Plus I have a warm home to enter, even if I'm wet, and getting into a hot shower and dry clothes is a delightful end to a soggy adventure. And I wouldn't have had it if I hadn't made the effort. No wonder it's often why I feel good afterwards.

By the time I write in this post next week, I'll know what happened with the American election. It's been a tough time for us all, including those who aren't even in this country, and I am hoping that the Universe will allow for the right outcome to emerge. And who knows what that is, really? We sure don't, because while our planet is going through its growing pains, other constellations and galaxies take a much longer view. An emerging star in the dust lanes of a distant cosmic nebula is not all that concerned with what is happening here on Earth.

Falling stars

For now, I'll keep using the tools I have in my own little corner of the world, those that have served me for decades and will probably help me get through the vicissitudes of life that I have ahead of me. Those of service, love for others, and an ability to take a longer view should keep me in one piece. For now.

I do hope that all of my virtual family are doing well, or as well as can be expected considering whatever vicissitudes of life you are facing at the moment. My dear sweet partner still sleeps quietly next to me, my tea is long gone, and I've got some time to read articles and comics on this gentle Sunday morning. John will pick me up and we'll go out for our usual breakfast. There will be more light in the sky for a few weeks, and the sun in this part of the country will set before 5:00 until next year. The dark days of winter lie ahead of us, before the cycle begins again. Until we meet again next week, dear friends, I wish you all good things. Be well.