Our parents finally met. I was happy, then sad, and now finding balance in the equinox season.

👋🏼Sorry I’ve been missing in action! For months, I’ve been planning my wedding reception remotely to bring our parents from both sides to meet for the first time in Taiwan. Finally, I’ve embarked on the trip and wrapped up the successful event as well as the busy 16-day itinerary.

🪷I needed mindfulness to get through the planning

Those months of planning provided a great reason for my mindfulness practices. Tangled family conflicts, struggles of self worth, and the rabbit hole of decision making processes were a lot of stress. Such personal stress contrasted with the collective stress in response to the state of the world. But, that actually created a dynamic of release and recovery.

🌎Personal and collective stress

After a painful phone call with family, the awful state of the world seem inconsequential. I felt like I didn’t have to overburden myself with the collective stress. Similarly, after reading painful news of the world, the conflicts with family seemed inconsequential. I felt like it wasn’t that big of a deal, and I didn’t need to dwell in suffering.

🧚‍♀️ Relief comes from the dynamic

My neighbors started a book club reading Dao De Jing (specifically with Dr. Wayne’s book, Change Your Thoughts-Change Your Life). The existence of something is always fed by something else, creating the whole. Neither exists without the other. That is the relief that a active dynamic creates. That is the renewal a cycle creates.

😢 Loss after culmination

I returned to our home a week after the fall equinox. The happiness of a successful family event turned into feelings of loss. I was no longer with my family, no longer in physical presence, and no longer the hub of plans and communication. I don’t like the sadness, because happiness is what should be in my heart! And then, as I drew an oracle card to process my overflowing feelings, I got “Release — autumn light”.

🌓Fall equinox: release AND harvest

During the trip, I was in physical proximity with my family in Taiwan and making plans to spend time in person. Now, I’ve return to a more isolated home in Colorado while also leaving my family more isolated from me. Suddenly, we’re no longer messaging each other everyday. I have to release what we’ve had, and it is hard. But I also know that there is much blessing to celebrate: the memories we’ve created and the love that was shown and proven. I know that this is to harvest: to celebrate a successful event and time well spent.

🌞Autumn Light: sadness AND joy

The Release card is not described by falling leaves, but by autumn light. It holds the contrast of receive and release. Holding contrasts feels exhausting until I step back to see their dynamic supporting each other’s existence. Then, I feel closer to the perspective of oneness. What do I want to commemorate the most? It’s not loss or regret, but the love that our families have shown, as well as the fun times. Each moment can be a renewal, as we choose to create new memories and new patterns. That is what we did with the wedding trip, believing it creates happiness more than it manifests past wounds and grudges.

🍂 Fall and spring are transitional seasons that ushers change rather than continuation. This time can feel confusing and discouraging. So, be sure to open up to the truth of how you’re feeling and take gentle, nourishing approaches to your health and other routines. Intentionally spend time to review conclusions, endings, and harvest. Focus on nourish and celebration! 🙂