Season of Wonder: Women, Wisdom and Fall

Socrates famously said, “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” This profound statement that our innate sense of awe and curiosity is the first step toward acquiring knowledge and understanding. Wonder compels us to question the unknown, explore the world, and look beyond the surface for deeper truths. It is the spark that ignites both learning and growth.

Wonder propelled me after two decades to leave my position as a Spiritual Director-Teacher. I was curious about what else I could see, do, and become. That wonder was further propelled by the voice of the Spirit. Sitting on a bench beneath the beautiful trees of Eastern Parkway—frustrated in my search for a new church home—I prayed, and I clearly heard: “Sit in nature and listen to me.”

That divine guidance brought me to Atlanta, my current home—aptly called “the city in a forest.” My first year here was spent sitting on my deck, sipping sangrias, observing the changing seasons, filled with awe at the beauty of nature's cycles. As a native Brooklynite, this was the longest and most personal encounter I had ever had with nature.

This experience initiated my own adventure, suspended between who I had been and who I was becoming. The shifting seasons became my constant companions on this journey.

If you are entering your own season of wonder and reimagining—seeking a home for your mind, body, and spirit; if you are in the liminal space—fall is the perfect time to begin.

Autumn symbolizes midlife in the life cycle. Creatively, it is a season of abundance and gathering: a time to reap the benefits of what you have sown materially, mentally, physically, and spiritually. The harvest is ready. It is the season to gather, focus, turn inward, and let go.

However, fall is not confined to the months of September through December. Metaphysically, you can enter a “fall season” at any stage of your life, for any length of time. For over 10 years, I lived in winter—a period of rest, reflection, and preparation. That quiet season allowed me to transform my experiences into wisdom.

The Holistic Homebody marks my next adventure. In many ways, I am building this plane as I fly it. But here is what I know for certain: my witness and my wonder have carried me into wisdom. I was built for this.

Living seasonally—aligning life with nature’s cycles—is a form of reinvention. Seasons signal change, and we were born to change. Reinvention does not mean dismissing or discarding what came before. Instead, it honors every decision, insight, triumph, and disappointment as preparation for what is to come.

If you are curious, if you are ready, let’s walk this path together. As Bevy Smith reminds us, “It gets greater later.” We are in the juiciest season of our lives; we are here for such a time as this.

So, let us welcome fall with open arms! Fall embodies comfort—warm drinks, cozy blankets, nourishing foods, and my new favorite tradition: fall festivals. It also invites us into mindful and practical preparation:

• Home: Clean gutters, maintain heating, check for drafts, and prepare for power outages.

• Wardrobe/Decor: Rotate seasonal clothes, bring out fall attire, and decorate with autumnal touches.

• Vehicle: Check tires, heating/defrost systems, and replace wiper blades.

• Health/Wellness: Eat seasonally, stay active, and align your sleep routine.

• Activities: Spend time daily in the sun, stock essential supplies, and review finances.

Spiritually, autumn is a sacred invitation into transition, gratitude, and letting go. It reminds us to shed what no longer serves us, honor our growth, and rest in preparation for the new. Key themes include:

• Shedding old habits

• Reflecting on personal growth

• Practicing gratitude

• Facing inner shadows that can emerge as the days shorten

• Navigating transitions

• Finding balance

• Resting to prepare for what's ahead.

As we step into this season of wonder, harvest, and transformation, may we embrace both the beauty and the challenges of change. Fall whispers to us that letting go is not an ending but a beginning, and that wisdom ripens when we honor every part of our journey. Wherever you find yourself—in a fall season, a winter season, or somewhere in between—remember that the cycles of nature are always guiding us home to ourselves, and that the Most High is guiding nature.

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Prayer for the Week

LISTEN UP: This playlist was curated with love to bring harmony and a sweet spirit into your home.