If you were driving down the road and steered by jerking the wheel back and forth, you might stay on the road, but you'd be working pretty hard for a bumpy ride. We quickly understand how a steering wheel works and learn with just slight turns to the right and left we can experience a much smoother ride. Think of yin and yang as the steering wheel of the seasons. With some slight adjustments, you can "enjoy the ride" or the changing nature the way (Tao) it was intended.

Spring represents the beginning of yang growing and blossoming into summer (the fullest part of yang). The fall and winter are seen as the small to large yin. How can we "steer" ourselves into winter while enjoying Autumn? One way is to adopt a flexible lifestyle through the change of seasons. Our bodies respond to the cycle of nature by becoming more yang during the cold (yin) seasons. On cold days (yin,) our blood vessels contract conserving heat (yang). Encourage this act of nature by eating more yang foods (root veggies, meat, stews) performing more yang exercises (nice long walks) and embracing the coming yin with quieter, slower activities, being indoors, or relaxing by a fire. Even just talking and thinking helps to soften the transition.

Test to see if you are following Tao (the way) by noticing the simple pleasure of laughter. Laughter is the organic expression of relief as the tension of self-pressure slips away. By letting yourself "go with the seasons," warm smiles are the manifestation of joy. I have a few chalkboards around the house and something I do to keep me looking forward to the next season is putting beautiful inspirational quotes on them...try it! Here is an example:

"Delicious Autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Elliot