Lisa Hopkins: The Paradox of Change

Ever found yourself caught in the magic and melancholy of autumn? Feel like you have a symphony of emotions playing within you as the seasons change? As we navigate through these mixed feelings that come with the arrival of fall, we'll explore the beauty within this transition, the wistful feelings as we bid goodbye to summer, and how to find a balance between embracing the past and welcoming the present. 

Have you ever wondered why time during summer seems paradoxical - both slow and fast? Why does the end of warm days bring a touch of sorrow, and why is this sorrow beautifully poetic? Let's reflect together on the vibrant colors of fall and the opportunities they present, the nostalgia of summer, and how we can choose to revel in the heartwarming memories it left behind. Remember, you're not alone in feeling this way, and it's okay to feel all the feels. Let's live in the moment, embrace the change, and appreciate each season for the unique beauty it brings. So tune in, breathe the fresh, crisp air, and remember to stay safe and healthy, everyone!

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Transcript

Lisa Hopkins: 0:25

So, according to the meteorological season, autumn starts on September 1st and ends on November 30th. According to the astronomical calendar, which is based on the position of the sun in relation to the earth, autumn begins this year on September 23rd and ends on December 22nd. No matter which calendar you follow, I have no doubt that, like me, you are already feeling the inevitable pangs of change and departure that come with fall. You know, it's a feeling so familiar and yet so hard to name. It elicits a kind of physical response in the pit of my stomach and it impulse to both hide and explore all at the same time. And the angle of the sun or the rustle of a tree branch against the cold blue sky can trigger it, at first lonely and ominous, and then just as quickly, vibrant and full ripe, with opportunities as plentiful as the harvest. A beginning and an ending all at the same time.

Lisa Hopkins: 1:45

You know, psychologists say that the feelings that often crop up in the autumn stem from our discomfort with change and anxiety and uncertainty about what that change might bring. The melancholy we feel, they say, is a form of grief, mourning the loss of the long summer days. Nat King Cole nailed it when he called them those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. Don't you feel that somehow the longer summer days invite and encourage us to slow down and take our time, to play more and enjoy time with the people we love? I feel that way, and yet there's never been a time when, even though we have slowed down, that I haven't felt like summer went by so quickly. That's the melancholy, I suppose. But I'm learning that you can't long for something if you didn't experience something wonderful enough to be missed in the first place. I think maybe wistful is a better word to describe how it feels to me, and if I stop thinking about what is gone, I can see much better what is here right now. There is a quintessential beauty to the fall season, as the leaves magically turn color and offer astounding views of the glorious nature of Mother Earth. The vibrant colors are matched only by the deep blue melancholy that accompanies the crisp air as the idle kayak knocks against the dock. But isn't that also wonderfully poetic in its loneliness?

Lisa Hopkins: 3:41

I could choose to live in scarcity and mourn the loss of summer, or I can smile when I recall the early morning summer sounds of laughing ducks and seagulls singing high in the sky as they dive for fish. I could drown myself in worry about when I'll see my family next. Or I can feel my heart warm when I remember hosting my family gathering at the lake for the last weekend of summer. These memories are not being replaced now by the change of season. These memories are ours to keep and to take with us. Soon the skies will be ringing with the honking return of the Canada geese who, like bullies on the playground, take over the lake until the last vestige of open water freezes over and they finally migrate to warmer places for the winter. But you know, by that time we will be looking forward to the holiday season and, who knows, maybe, if we put our minds to it, maybe we will take the time to live in each moment and enjoy what the new season brings.

Lisa Hopkins: 5:11

So if you're feeling that fall feeling today, as I am, you're not alone. But remember. Remember how brave you are. Remember that you have those memories and you keep them with you. And then curl up in a cozy corner and allow yourself. Allow yourself to feel all the feels again. Schedule some time for yourself to not worry about the future and not dwell on the past, on your favorite boots and sweaters. Breathe the fresh, crisp air linger in a bookstore and enjoy all the fruits of the harvest. I'm Lisa Hopkins. Thanks so much for listening. Stay safe and healthy, everyone, and remember to live in the moment.