Strength for the Season Ahead

When I’m out on the trail, I often notice the stones underfoot.  Some are smooth, shaped by rivers long gone; others are jagged, reminders of a mountain’s ancient shifting.  As I explore, I like to pause and pick up a small stone, holding it in my hand feeling all the smooth and rough edges, and using it as a symbol of gratitude.

Gratitude is like carrying these stones with us.  Each one represents something that has shaped us—moments of joy, lessons from hardship, the people who walk beside us.  Together, they form the foundation we stand on.

As autumn settles in, gratitude becomes our way of grounding. It gives us strength for the season ahead, reminding us that even as the days grow shorter and the air grows cooler, we are supported by all we have gathered along the way.

Prompt:

• Take a breath and imagine holding a small stone in your hand.
• What “stone of gratitude” do you carry from this past season—something that gives you strength?
• How does this gratitude steady you for the season ahead?
• What new stone would you like to pick up and carry forward into fall?

This September, the Earth has been reminding us how to live with steadiness in changing seasons.  Like the aspen, we are rooted and connected. Like the equinox, we are invited to honor both light and shadow.  And like the stones we carry in gratitude, we are given strength for the journey ahead.

Grounding isn’t just about standing still—it’s about remembering where our roots are, finding balance in our days, and carrying forward the gifts that sustain us.  As we step into autumn, may you feel held by the earth beneath you, balanced by the turning of the season, and strengthened by the gratitude that lives in your heart.

Gratitude Practice:

Each evening, write down 3 things you’re grateful for—big or small.

Pause to feel them in your body.

Notice how your breath softens when you linger in appreciation.

Want to practice gratitude in community?  Check out our events and listen to the women’s stories in my podcast series.