Sweet summer memories: embracing the change of seasons

Looking forward to a new season. A new beginning.

A unforgettable sunset near Emerald Isle in North Carolina.

I love the change of seasons for many reasons. Of course, I have my favorite season (or two) but I strive to appreciate the differences that each season offers.

Over the years, I’ve come to savor the flow of the seasons - the ending of one season and the beginning of a new season. I strive to put the outgoing season behind me and focus on the new season. I find this seasonal transition renewal process invigorating and a boost to my mental health.

You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. - Author unknown

A new beginning four times a year: an opportunity to focus on personal growth

Each seasonal change brings an opportunity to supercharge my personal development. I like to set new goals or re-visit past goals and adjust them if needed. For the Fall season, it is like going back to school. I spend some time to carefully think about what I wish to do during the new season - such as learning a new skill, developing new community connections and planning more adventures.

You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of. Time will pass and seasons will come and go.

Ready to launch: the Judge Ben Wiles on Skaneateles Lake, New York.

Moving forward: Little Clear Pond near Saranac Lake, New York

Be ready to pursue new adventures.

No matter how easy or how hard, I strive to forge new paths, cultivate new friendships and work on strengthening current relationships.

Exploring new trails in my local state forests in New York.

Taking time to slow down to enjoy the early signs of the seasonal changes

Early Fall near Paul Smith’s, New York in the Adirondack Mountains

Appreciating the seasonal changes in sunrises and sunsets

An August sunrise near Louisville, Colorado

A late August sunrise near where I live in upstate New York

Taking time to walk in the woods

Sometimes just taking a walk in the woods among the trees encourages one to slow down as we soak in the sounds and smells of the forest. I gaze up at the forest canopy and often wonder how long these trees have been standing there looking down at me.

As their leaves start to change color, I feel a sense of change coming on too.

With the cooler and wetter weather in September and October, the forests become a haven for mossy carpets in various shades of green. The smell of a wet forest has the power to soothe me - stimulating positive feelings.

To me the door to the woods is the door to the temple. - Mary Oliver

Soaking in the changes in the forest canopy.

A note to myself: stop and smell the flowers

I know I rush too much. I think I am getting better at slowing down. Having a camera in hand encourages me to stop, focus and capture a few photos.

A photo of a hydrangea this summer near Skaneateles, New York.

Be open to new adventures

As I move forward into the new season, I plan to look for those channels of opportunity for personal growth. I am not sure what may lie around the bend but the unknown is exciting. I hope you can come along for the journey.

Paddling on the Miami River in the Adirondack mountains of New York.

The coming and going of the seasons give us more than the springtimes, summers, autumns and winters of our lives. It reflects the coming and going of the circumstances of our lives like the glassy surface of a pond that shows our faces radiant with joy or contorted with pain. - Gary Zukav