Be the change that you wish to see in the world.    — Mahatma Gandhi

Usually in the fall of the year, I am aware that the days are getting shorter and cooler, and I sense that autumn is in the air. Here in Florida, the change is more subtle and less dramatic. Still, when I think about the seasons changing, I believe it’s a good time to reflect on the many changes in life.

Although we may not always like it, change is a part of being alive, of living. Change can occur in our physical or spiritual lives, our relationships, our financial situation. Because we live in a fast-moving world, it can be a bit frightening. It can make us feel out of control, even anxious.

Sometimes we forget that even as life rushes by, we have the ability to choose how we will respond to that. We need to remember it is possible to experience gifts of peace and calm even in the midst of chaos and confusion.

Sometimes during a time of transition, a bit of clarity shines through and opens our eyes to how vulnerable we are or how precious life is to us. We may see that we haven’t been very careful about what we have chosen to do with our precious days on earth, that our living has become careless. We might not give thought to what we hold as sacred. Indeed, life is brief. It’s sobering to think there isn’t endless time left for us to live. It can make us want to use our time well. If we lived our life as if we had only one day left to live, the sense of impermanence might heighten a feeling of preciousness.

Change can also provide new opportunities for growth. Perhaps we can affirm that we are changing, we are growing, we are learners, we are filled with potential. And we can gather wisdom from our life experiences in order to live a transformed life.

Yes, we are always in transition, and we have no idea what life will be like in the future. But we can make good choices about change in order to live our lives fully and meaningfully. Even when we feel busy or rushed, it’s important that we stop and reflect, so that we will become aware of the many options open to us.

• What are the changes you are facing in your life?
• What do you want to do with the precious time you have left in life?

Beloved Creator, thank You for creating a world full of surprises and changes. When we face major challenges or are in transition on our journey, help us to learn from our past experiences. May we come to realize that You are always there for us, even during enormous changes in our lives. Amen

— Joy Carol, www.joycarol.com