Catch an Autumn Sunrise

“It is in the stillness of nature where one will find true bliss.” (j.j.c)

An autumn sunrise in South Florida.

There's something about the autumn sunrise that's like no other time of year. Maybe it's the crisp air of the early morning, or the cool moisture on the earth, or the slightly more orange tinge that ignites the sky at the beginning of a new day. Maybe it's the acknowledgment of colder weather, seasons changing, time passing. Whatever it may be, it is calming and peaceful, and a reason to feel alive.

Every year I am reminded of how lucky I am to exist in a world so beautiful, on an Earth that provides us with all the means to survive.

A solitary moment on Turtle Island.

I breathe in the dawn air and look around me. I notice the songbirds and their change of habit, waking up to begin their day, already busy preparing for the winter months ahead. The textures and patterns on their feathers are so beautiful, each one distinctive. I notice the reflections of sunbeams on the water. They almost look alive as they move with the currents of the sea. The whole world around me is being painted shades of auburn, tangerine, and rust. For one brief moment, the earth is still... Then the world begins to stir, the quiet fades, the colors start to shift, and the sun melts backwards up into the sky… and all returns to normal.

The early morning makes me aware, once again, of the benefits of nature and spending time in its presence, even to just catch an autumn sunrise, for our beings have a very primal need to do so. It’s where our roots were planted, and it should always be present in our lives. Given the opportunity, nature can provide a balance and an inner peace. It lends its strength and offers the opportunity for stillness, and a sense of understanding, understanding where we came from, and who we are on this earth. Nature is a remedy, a means of healing the soul and spirit, sometimes all that’s needed is the silence of the human world.

Fire in the sky before the rest of the world wakes up.

So my advice to you is to take the time out of a busy day to spend a moment in nature, alone, in complete solitude, just you and the organic world. It is a human necessity. Wake up a little earlier to watch a sunrise, or just witness the early light and how it shifts. Watch how the world wakes up. Escape the mundane for a minute and just be. Notice how quiet the world is after a rainstorm. Notice how life takes a moment, questioning, before returning to normal. Notice the difference in the sunset as every month passes. Notice the stars, or maybe you can’t see them from where you are in the world. What can you see? Let your mind wander to all those far off places. Let your thoughts guide you. Breathe deeply. Enjoy your surroundings. Relax your body. Discover the calm. For the world is yours. Wherever you are.

Moments later, all is normal.

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” –John Burroughs

With love,

Francesca