It’s the season of the harvest, the leaves turning, the air growing crisper. It’s a time of harvest holidays and spiritual reflections, a time to acknowledge and be grateful for nature and growth, for the gift of abundance, for inspiration drawn from the richness of the season.

So often, too often, we think about what we don’t have and what we long for, hope for, wish for. If only I had this, or could do that, my life would be perfect or full or beautiful. It makes no difference whether our desire is to lose 5 lbs, get a new job or find a new life, we believe that the change we seek is the one that will make all the difference for us.

I think it is both human nature and a reflection of the society in which we live, to want more and to focus on the perfection that is just outside our grasp.

But, what if we took a moment and reframed our thinking? What if we took the time to not be generically “grateful,” but looked at our reality through the lens of abundance.

Most of us, if being honest with ourselves, know those areas in which we are blessed. I hope that everyone feels the love and support of family although I know that is not universally the case. But friends, work, experiences are all areas in which we can recognize the abundance we enjoy.

We can find abundance in the laughter of our children or grandchildren. We can find it in the warm arms of a loved one or a friend. We can find it in creating, in solving problems, in accomplishments. From the simplest to the most complex, abundance surrounds us. We only need to take a moment and look for it.

As we head into these days of changing seasons, of harvest moons and pumpkins, crisp apples and falling leaves, may we find the abundance in each of our lives and may it help us to fill our full hearts.