September Is Here With All Its Calls to “Fall” and “Follow” — Are You Ready?
Welcome September! Cheers to a wonderful month known for its bright celebrations and not-so-bright tragic memories(as any month brings). Oh yay, September brings tides of change. In the Northern Hemisphere, in September the final days of summer roll by to the transformative days of autumn. The simpler English synonym for Autumn, “fall,” seems to fit into this new month well. Many children and adults find themselves falling back into school or jobs after a summer break. September’s sound itself announces coming changes. May, June, July, and August in all of their shortness and ease-to-mutter give way to the longer three-syllable name. And the name is the first of the four “ber” months that close out the year.
Just as the multi-colored leaves of Autumn stream in contrasting colors, the fast-changing temperatures and movements of September contrast with a lingering sense of mildness and calm. Just as the classic lyrics from the musical score Try to Remember offer:
Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh, so mellow
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain was yellow
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a tender and callow fellow
Try to remember and if you remember
Then follow, follow.
We may sense these themes in so many of September’s events and patterns. From the winds blowing more strongly and cooly to the gatherings at sports events and family picnics, these are the feelings, sight, and sounds that will remain with us.
Perhaps a question for each of us is how we tap into that slowness and mellowness that may hide behind time’s constant flow and the seasons’ constant shifts. How do we “follow, follow” once we have remembered? Do we spend extra time with loved ones or seek to savor the riches coming forth from new seasons and chapters? How do we find rebalance in our own lives? How might we best grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually in our life journeys? How might we help others do this?
And maybe we all feel some frustration and disappointment when the seasons quickly change. It is common to feel sadness or even a sense of loss if times quickly go by. But then we find ourselves in the present time, with the current eras and seasons calling us. This is our time to savor each moment and fully immerse ourselves in the unfolding present. September offers so many amazing reminders to do this, from days of celebration to a multitude of weather types in many parts of the world. Another wonderful realization is that although September is the beginning of the final quadrimester of the year, we still have a little time left in the year to complete goals, reach new milestones, and make lasting memories.
Welcome, September, and thoughts and prayers for best wishes and fun to all! These are the wonderful days of mellow and fun, are you ready?
