There is a key to thriving in autumn and winter—start something new.
The pairing of birth and death is one of the most fundamental themes in life. These are among the deepest of our experience, the most heartfelt arrivals and departures. I call it a sacred autumn secret, because autumn always brings the energy of endings. There is nothing more powerful than pairing an ending with a new beginning.
William and Mary, a BBC television serial starring Martin Clunes (of Doc Martin fame), and Julie Graham, brings this pairing to dramatic life in an exquisite way. It isn’t about royalty. It’s about 2 single parents who meet through a dating agency, and fall in love. The key to the series’ success, is that William is an undertaker, and Mary is a midwife. Their relationship and its challenges is framed by other arrivals and departures, births and deaths. (I especially love seeing Martin Clunes play such a sweet man after seeing the opposite in Doc Martin!)
It sounds a bit trite when I write it, but the truth is just the opposite. We naturally have huge resonance with birth and death. The sight of a new baby makes us melt in wonder, as a funeral can make us weep. We don’t have to know those involved to feel it deeply. And feeling deeply when watching a film, is the mark of cinematic success.
I learned, from this series, that once upon a time in our history, midwives were also the ones who served as undertakers. At one time, a single person saw us in, and saw us out. That’s some sacred witnessing, for sure!
Coach’s Challenge: I want to invite you to do 3 things out of this article: 1) Choose something new to get excited about this fall and winter to balance the natural energy of seasonal loss, and 2) Witness beginnings and endings around you, knowing that the act of witnessing is part of making these transitions sacred. Your attention makes a difference to those around you experiencing transition. And, of course, 3) Check out William and Mary!
Please leave a comment telling me what your favorite fall memory is and why.
*Photo by Jan Kepley of ResonceCards.com
