Falling autumn leaves remind me of the “slow reveal” of lingerie. Leaf by leaf dropping unhurriedly to the ground, gradually showing more and more of the structural forest. Slowly, we get to see what lies beneath the garments of the trees. And once the last leaf has fallen, amazing perspective follows.

To gaze fully at those spaces previously hidden by plant life, to finally see the camouflaged streams, secret trails, and hidden cabins, to delight in the autumn woods is wonderfully mysterious!

Similarly, there is a wonderful mystery in our own personal “slow reveal”. The removal of physical accoutrements like clothing, makeup, jewellery. The setting aside of other mental and emotional trappings like property, vehicles, occupations. The momentary non-reliance on the personal bonds of family and friends.

Sometimes, walking nakedly, without these external effects, provides us with an authentic opportunity to see what is at the base of our own personal structure – to gain perspective of who we truly are.

I know that my landscape is changing these days. Perhaps my autumn forest will have a fallen tree that needs removal, perhaps a blocked waterway that could be cleared, maybe a questionable thought pattern that could be reworked before the spring renewal.

As autumn deepens into winter, I’m going to delight in the mystery that is me. I’m going to remove my own natural coverage and plan how to re-grow come spring.