The secret for your family to finding great joy, bliss and connection to God may be as simple as a walk in the woods.

Aaah, Autumn in South Florida. The air is balmy, the sky is bright blue and the palms gentle sway in the breeze. The way we know the seasons have changed is that our hair no longer frizzes when we walk outside. As my children and I went for a run this morning several yellow leaves began to fall. We all smiled and remembered a magnificent journey we took several years ago to the Smokey Mountains. The trip was magical. My children being native Floridians had never experienced the beauty of fall and to see it through their eyes was extraordinary.

One day in particular we found a beautiful forest. As we walked through the woods we marveled at the magnificence of God's creation, autumn in all its glory. Our senses were overwhelmed as we witnessed the passage of time, the journey of the leaves into eternity.

A canopy of coral, saffron, and scarlet leaves wisp in veils above our heads. The trees alive with vibrant hues transformed the forest into a masterpiece to be revered. The sun's rays peeked through the branches of the saging oaks and cedars bathing the earth in golden light. Majestic maples wore crowns of crimson, graceful dogwoods were dressed in gowns of maze and regal cherry trees were wrapped in cloaks of aborigine all reflected God's extraordinary palate. The air is crisp and fragrant aromas of aging pine and evergreen filled our noses. Pure oxygen permeated our being and enveloped our souls with tranquility.

Then to our delight the ultimate surrender took place. The autumn leaves reach their pinnacle. The wisdom of nature gently released them and allowed them to fall from the trees. They floated like angels dancing in the wind, spinning and pirouetting as they graced the air with their presence. Each leaf with it's own soul, own history. Each a significant part of the spirit of the tree.

My children looked so blissful as the leaves showered down upon their heads. They stood with their arms wide open, innocently giggling as they were overtaken by the rapture of the moment. They became one with nature, one with the eternal life force and one with God.

As the leaves fell to the ground they blanketed the earth in a soft, warm embrace. With sheer delight my children fell to the ground and began rolling in them. The joy on their faces was beyond anything I had ever seen. It was as if they were infused with the pure essence of life.


Today and everyday slow down a bit and spend some time with your children breathing in the beauty of nature. For God has created so many gifts for us to savor. Now I think it is time for me to celebrate autumn South Florida style, we’re off to the beach. Happy Fall and may you and your children be blessed with joy, light, health and most of all love.

Debbie Milam is the author of The Secret to Raising a Happy, Successful Family. A syndicated parenting columnist for United Press International and therapist whose work has been featured in over 300 media outlets including The Miami Herald, Elle, Ladies Home Journal, PBS and The Hallmark Channel.

Visit her website for more products and resources to help you be a create a life of peace, joy, and success for you and your children. Sign-up for her newsletter at www.bestyoucanbe.org and receive your special report Creating Peace Within Yourself and Your Family.