Oct 2nd, 2026 Friday Sunny
When asked what my favorite season is, my answer would either be spring or fall, depending on my mood. Regardless, those two are the clear winners.
Both are about transitions and changes. As such, pleasant surprises in nature are begging to be noticed every day.
It is a beautiful autumn day today. The sky is washed clear and blue, with the sunshine smiling abundantly. The cool yet not chilled breeze seems to have brushed many trees with a golden hue, then casually sent the leaves dancing in the air. Varying shades of crimson and orange also join in the effort to paint a colorful tableau.
On a day like this, I am usually light-hearted, with a positive outlook on most things – even annoyances feel more tolerable.
It is particularly precious because I am increasingly aware of the fact that such days are not as common as we would like. Cloudiness, rain (or at least drizzle, sometimes a storm), and cold spells have more often than not dampened my spirits since the start of September.
And that might be one reason that I am fond of this time of the year.
In summer and winter, it is not unusual to have an entire week of almost identical weather – sunny and hot, or chilly and dry. In these cases, people tend to take it for granted, albeit unconsciously, that this would last, if not forever, at least for a while. Since tomorrow will just be like today, there does not seem to be a pressing need to get to a certain goal(e.g. taking a stroll on the beach) now. After all, what is the difference of doing it immediately versus delaying another day?
If we consistently apply the same logic, we may only realize that our opportunity has slipped away after it has happened (e.g. when the streak of fine weather is terminated, and crisper temperature has settled in). Regretfully, we sigh and say, “maybe next year.”
What if that goal is no longer attainable next year? What if physical injuries prevent you from moving around as easily? What if so many obligations arise that leave you little leisure to enjoy? What if the lake shore becomes contaminated, not suitable for walking on anymore? What if, in the worst scenario, you will not even see next year?
The probabilities are low, but not zero. And nobody has a crystal ball, so fulfilling this promise for yourself is never guaranteed.
Even if none of the above occurs, and you are fortunate enough to experience another splendid summer, if the mindset remains, wouldn’t that end up in a similar fashion, so you would have to wait for another chance?
In reality, every moment is more unique and irreplaceable than we think. It is just an illusion that we are granted unlimited shots to take full advantage of them.
So we benefit from a reminder, a little bit of back-and-forth in the pattern, to learn to cherish this very moment.