Tomorrow is the autumnal equinox. Wind blows. Light changes. Leaves turn.

We transition.

In Chinese medicine, fall is a season of grief. In Ayurveda medicine, anxiety is an emotion of autumn.

These natural shifts happen during a lingering, heavy pandemic.

Grief and anxiety? They’re the bones of this pandemic. A normal response from our nervous system.

Now they’re present in this beautiful season of fall. Temperatures cool. Colors emerge. Rich change happens. (Strangers say, “Fall is my favorite time of year!”)

And we’re still in the pandemic.

And we’re navigating daily life.

I’ve spoken to countless people who say, “I have too much on my plate,” “Family, work, and all these decisions—they leave no time for me,” or “I’m exhausted, but what else can I do?”

I don’t have solutions. But I want to name what’s hard. It’s hard to be a compassionate person in this hard-driving, technology-oriented, do-more culture. It’s hard to be a kind, respectful person in this I-hate-you, disagree-disagreeably culture. It’s hard to be a human being in this short, tender, precious life, where we experience loss and heartbreak.

And still, we carry on. We love each other. We savor ordinary moments. We help where we can.

We remember that we’re (each of us!) brave, imperfect, and beautiful.

And we remember that things change, just like the trees in autumn.