Does anyone else feel like this year isn't getting any easier? Between politics, collective grief, and so much death, I often find myself tired. Worn out, actually. And yet, life keeps surprising me with moments of such intense joy - looking upon my daughter's innocent face, vibrant wonders in nature, people coming together in aide of their fellow human beings. I don't always know what to do with that mix of emotions: sorrow and joy sitting so close together.
The autumn equinox (9/22) seems to hold this truth too. A quiet turning of the earth, a balance of dark and light. Not one replacing the other, but both existing at once. Maybe this season invites us to trust that life is made of these juxtapositions, and that grief doesn't cancel joy, and joy doesn't erase grief. They live side by side, and so do we.
So if you're feeling worn down, yet still able to notice beauty, you're not alone. This, too, is the season we're in.