Change of Seasons, again

Izumi Tanaka
2 min readOct 26, 2023

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The leaves are turning their colors now, and with each vibrant hue, another winter is around the corner. At this seasonal transition, I find myself caught in a whirlwind of mixed feelings. There’s an undeniable enchantment in the idea of snow-draped mountains, a serene stillness that is nothing short of breathtaking. That is, of course, as long as I don’t have to venture out into the cold and have the comfort of a warm, well-heated home. I can’t help but reflect on the memory of the epic snowstorm of last season that is still relatively fresh in my mind, a reminder of nature’s unpredictable might.

During those three days when our power was lost, I was reminded of how fragile our modern comforts can be. Fortunately, our street was plowed relatively quickly, and we were able to seek refuge at a friend’s house. However, many roads remained impassable for days, and many of our neighbors were quite literally snowed in.

As I glance at the weather forecast, it informs us of what’s to come: “warm and wet,” or as I’ve also heard it described, “wet and wild.” If the weather leans toward the warmer side, it might mean less snow, but in the end, who truly knows? It’s all too easy to surrender to the anxiety that anticipation of severe weather events can bring.

Yet, rather than dwelling on an uncertain tomorrow, I am doing my best to enjoy the autumn foliage while it lasts embracing the present moment. The autumn leaves are a poignant reminder of impermanence. However, even after years of practice, staying rooted in the present moment is not a task easily mastered. The mind has a penchant for wandering, for veering off into the past or future. Yet, it is in this very struggle that the beauty of mindfulness lies. The practice isn’t about achieving perfection but rather about the journey toward it. It’s about acknowledging our wandering thoughts and gently guiding them back to the here and now. And while it may not always be easy, it’s a practice worth pursuing, for it is in the present that we find the true essence of our lives.

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Izumi Tanaka
Izumi Tanaka

Written by Izumi Tanaka

Life is a beautiful swirl of mindfulness practice, soulful images & stories. Green living expert as a Green Realtor (DRE# 02046770)

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