I love fall. Every season, feelings of nostalgia, warmth, love, and reflection surface. All at once.

I know this feeling isn’t unique to me – most everyone loves fall.

I’ve found this shared sentiment interesting. What is it about fall that makes most humans feel similarly? What commonalities do we possess that allow fall to have such a romantic trance on us?

Coming from the fun of hot summer days and vacation plans, fall compliments the rush of summer with an invitation for stillness. Pause. Relaxation. Reflection.

In a world where we are pressured to constantly be doing more – producing work, making sales, juggling kids, career, relationships – we must remember that it’s okay to just be.

Fall scoops us up in her strong, gentle arms and reminds us about that the urge we have to pause and reflect. She invites us to follow it. Give into it. If only for a moment, just be, no energy exertion required. It seems as though she’s patting us on the back, giving us permission to savor the change in season and perhaps the change it sparks within ourselves.

All we have to do is give ourselves permission, too.

How is this feasible when life is pulling at us from the moment we wake to the moment our heads hit the pillow?

I’m with you; this is the delicate balance of work and play; doing and being; giving and receiving.

I’ve found it’s as simple as a choice. It may be awkward and uncomfortable to give yourself a few minutes each day to do nothing and simply be. Simple doesn’t necessarily mean easy.

But ask yourself, “How would giving into the warmth of fall and allowing moments of being support my mind? Body? Spirit?”

May I challenge you to find out? Give it a try today. Three minutes of being. Three minutes of reflection. Three minutes of loving up on this beautiful fall season.

This will look different for everyone. I recognize that. I would be remiss not to offer some things that I’ve found work well:

• Take mental snapshots of your daily moments. Allow yourself to be a witness of your life, instead of an actor in it. This gives you space between you and your to-do list. Witness the magic of your day unfold in front of you – at work, at home, in the grocery store. Take a mental picture of a heartfelt moment, and when you do, you’ll simply be there. Witnessing.

• Reflect on the season and the changes it stirs within you. Try musing on these prompts in a journal, with a friend, or to yourself.
  • What does fall mean to me personally?
  • What are my favorite parts about fall?
  • What do I want to celebrate this season?
  • What do I want to change this season?

• If you’re able, schedule time (a few minutes to start) for rejuvenating activities – reading, writing, staring out into nature (really – it’s incredibly calming!). During these times, allow yourself to be in the moment. No need for the gas pedal to hit the floor all hours of the day. We all know what will happen to the engine.