My poet friend, Athena, told me one day that she welcomed the transition into the dark season when she could first see Orion in a certain window in her predawn movements around her home.  It brought hope and joy to her in those predawn hours.

Yesterday’s predawn walk led me to the top of the hill behind our home.  The clouds opened to reveal Orion, my first sighting of the season.  Ahhhh.  Winter, dark season friend.  Once Orion shows up, I love the season and the loss of summer dissipates.

In this time of perpetually horrible news, turn away from that to Nature.  Nature is always flowing in a steady reliable stream of endings and beginnings.  Summer ends, autumn begins.  Long endless days of summer light ends and long nights begin.  Peaceful.  Reliable.  Home.

So, what harbingers bring a smile of contentment and peace to your lovely face?  How do you know fall has come?  Or winter.

I discovered the Japanese have 21 seasons.  How many do you have?  I certainly have way more than the measly four.

As a child, I recall the huge delight and sense of freedom I got when I called the local police to find out if the Ten Mile Creek was safe to skate on and the answer was, “Yes.”

First snow, of course, continues as a favorite marker.

For my beloved, Suzanne, it’s winter when all the leaves have fallen.

Back in Ohio, early February brought crocuses popping through the snow.

The omnipresent crow chicks incessant crying to be fed marks a new season for me in Seattle.

My Religion Is Kindness

In this world of 10,000 sorrows and 10,000 joys, learn kindness.  Each of us has scared inner children to care for and to be cared for.  Recognize those children in the faces of sad, scared, and angry grownups.  The Dalai Lama said it first, “My religion is kindness.” Practice.  Practice.

Practicing kindness is good for the world clearly.  But I recommend it for you.  If you’re overwhelmed by discouraging news reports, practice kindness.

In another famous quote from the Dalai Lama he says:

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

The top quote above is a chapter from my book – The Twenty Second Smile: Plus 97 More Engagingly Playful Strategies to Help you be Happy, Wild, and Free.

Each chapter is exactly 50 words long.  Kindle Version,  Paperback Version –Very pretty book to own.

May you walk in beauty,

William