Today was beyond blustery. October in its premature stages - being only 3 days in thus far! - is proving itself as being far more typical than any of the summer months and most of the spring ones too! The turning of the seasons and the stripping of the trees are indicative of the onset of winter through the colourful throws of Autumn. Or to put it simply: we are having autumn now so that we can have winter.
I always quote winter as my favourite season, but I love them all in their own ways and for their own merits: spring for its lushness and life, summer for its dreamy days (that in this part of the world last almost a full 24 hours) and autumn for its colourful arrays and its decay that in turn leads to further life. There is something so reassuring about the turning of the season, a clock that you can set your life by. In the book Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, it mentions the weather being what you would dream of as a kid. The first time of reading it, that’s almost a throw away remark but it’s quite a powerful observation. I’m glad we’re having a breezy October with both rain and sun in equal measure. It feels right.
Autumn is a time of change, a season that’s characteristics are all defined by the alterations in different parts of nature. In America autumn is still referred to as the fall, and that sums it up entirely. Things are changing, falling, dying. But despite that, there is something warm, cosy and homely about autumn and it makes me feel snug to look out of the window at the trees shaking their long branches and shedding their leaves.
I’m one of those people that the film industry hates - I have a big thing about plot continuity. I don’t know why, when I have such a deep love and understanding of the changing tide in nature - how everything has its time before it changes once again - I love continuity. I’m not a Luddite, but I am rooted in tradition and, quite honestly, I’m at a point in my life where I would not look to - or wish to - change anything.
But there must be a time for both and, although it sounds paradoxical, there can’t be one without the other. The seasons, whilst changing from one to another, have a continuity to their cycle. Life is built up of two way decisions - yes or no, right or left, change or continuity. There are times to make the choice either way, because both have their strengths and benefits.
Here is what I think: Aim to be continually happy and helpful, cheery and creative. Change should be reserved for situations where happiness, helpfulness, cheeriness and creativeness can be beneficial. It is a shame that so many people seem to think that change is the same thing as progression when many of us don’t have to change to make the world better; we just have to look at what is already there and make the right characteristics shine through.
And it’s not hard to do. Guess what, all it takes is a smile and you can change someone’s outlook on life to be continually better. It’s amazing what a difference a smile can make! Have a go and brighten up people’s lives.
*I will resist the temptation to list the films/TV series/books that I have noticed continuity issues in!*
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