As of writing this reflection on Thursday morning, it feels like fall. I know it is not, but I love the cool temperature and the crisp air of early fall. I love fall activities and the nostalgia of starting school, going to Shrine Mont, or other fall memories. But, like always, I am rushing it. Fall does not officially start for almost another month. Probably next week it will be unbearably hot again, as is common this time of year.

But I cannot help it. With all seasons, I get too excited for them, especially summer and fall. I bring out all clothes I had tucked away the season before and start getting ready for all the seasonal activities I have missed.

I have been reading our book club book this month as well, A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers. We will gather next month Saturday October 21 at 11 am to discuss the book. I hope you all get a chance to pick up the book, even if you cannot make it to the discussion, because even though it is a fictional novella, it has some good lessons for all of us.

Something that the main character deals with is this antsy feeling of wanting to move on to the next thing. Dex, the monk, cannot stay in one town, one occupation, one area. Dex is restless. And so They wander as a traveling tea monk. But even with this occupation, the uneasy feelings of stagnation creeps up on Them.

I think that feeling of eagerness about the next thing, or simply just always looking ahead, we can all relate to. It might not be the full blown restlessness that Dex feels but from time to time, everyone can fall into a pattern of always looking towards the next thing. Whether it is anticipating a season, school, a change in vocation, or just a promotion, we can all sometimes forget to be present in the moment.

Even in the transitions, even in the in-between seasons of our lives, there can be beauty in the present, if we stop looking for the next thing and just be in the moment.

I think back to seminary, grad school, where all I wanted to do was finish up so I could be a priest and actually live out my vocation. And now that I am a parish priest, I look back at those seminary moments fondly, especially daily prayer services with the community. Where all I had to worry about was learning some Hebrew, writing a paper, and go to services.

And that is why it is important to be present where we are as often as we can be. Because God has ordained this moment and all moments as special and fleeting. And that is the beautiful thing about this life.

Celal+