Do you remember? The twenty-first day of September is the autumnal equinox.

Tomorrow, September 22, is the first official day of Fall.

It is the season of harvest, and it’s no coincidence that this is the last week of prep season.

This preparation season was meant to help us transition well into a new season of life, and also reap a harvest of results.

Physically, the prep has been a success.

  • I have lost nine pounds with one last weigh-in this week.
  • I’ve started getting up at 4:30 AM
  • I have worked harder in the gym than I have in many years
  • My nutrition is much better than it has been in years, with more protein, less snacking, and just a healthier mindset around food.

Mentally, the prep has been an even bigger success

  • I finished a creative writing course through the UC Berkeley Extension
  • I’ve found fitness role models online that have inspired me to push myself harder.
  • I’ve devised a plan to improve my financial health, so I have options to move ahead
  • I can see the light
  • Situations that I am ready to move on from are organically phasing out
  • I’ve built my capacity to believe for more and to do more.

September

Here we are on the twenty-first day of September (I am also supposed to see Earth, Wind, and Fire this coming Saturday), and I know the transition and major changes have already begun.

I just haven’t seen them yet, but there was a reason: even as far back as February and March, I heard whispers about September and started getting ready for something.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the change process this past week. Most of us are desperate for change, but we are not desperate to make changes.  We resist leaving comfort, convenience, old ideas, and habits, but the truth is that everything is changing because everything will eventually change.

Transition means that I can’t wait

I’ve long held the attitude that I’ll make changes and upgrades when my circumstances change, but one insight from this prep season is that I have to make the necessary changes and upgrades BEFORE my circumstances change.

Transition is not just about getting to the next place; it’s also about how you get there.  A good transition looks ahead and makes the adjustments needed to strengthen the foundation for the next phase and prepare for the changes that must happen.

That’s also what faith is about. It’s the confident assurance that what we want will happen, even though we cannot see it yet.  If we truly believe what we want will happen, then we will prepare accordingly.

I always liked the story about the farmers who called a prayer meeting during a drought. One farmer showed up in his waders because he believed God would answer their prayer, and he had to go home in his wading boots because it was raining!

I believe certain threads and situations are yet to be revealed, so I’m not waiting! I’ve put on my waders to prepare, then say, “I’m ready for the rain!”

Prep Season has come to an end, and now we step into the Fall Acceleration. It is the harvest season we’ve been preparing for, where I’m believing for major changes and events to unfold.