The Leaf in the Wind

There’s something otherworldly about autumn—the way light filters through crimson leaves, the hush that lingers in the air as if time itself is slowing down to listen. It’s in this stillness that I often find myself remembering a day in Hendersonville, North Carolina, when a single leaf carried a message from Spirit.

It was on that crisp autumn day that I strolled down the town’s charming main street, where fallen leaves scattered across the sidewalks in a mosaic of color. I paused for a moment, wondering which storefront might draw me in.

As I stood there, the wind stirred—and a single leaf caught my eye, rising from the ground in a slow, graceful dance. It was one of those moments when time seems to pause in a dreamlike stillness; the sounds of the street faded, and I was alone with this single leaf. It drifted back and forth, lifted and carried as if searching for a place to rest.

Watching its silent dance, I began to reflect on my own path—on how each small decision shapes the course of our lives. I thought of the many shops before me, the people within them, and the infinite possibilities that live in every chance encounter. A single choice—one turn, one conversation—can open the door to something unexpected, something life-altering.

I was reminded that our reality and our next moments are never fixed. They breathe, they bend, they become—moment by moment—with every thought, feeling, and intention we carry. We are the quiet creators of our world, shaping it through focus and awareness. Every intention, whether conscious or not, sends ripples into the unseen—waves of energy that allow infinite possibilities to unfold.

The wind softened; the leaf drifted down and found its resting place. The sounds of cars and music on the street gently nudged me back to awareness, weaving me once more into the rhythm of the day. Around me, life continued—unaware of the quiet magic that had just occurred.

As I took a few steps forward, Spirit whispered in my ear, “Are you creating consciously or unconsciously? Are you carried by the winds of life, or are you choosing your path?”

I smiled, feeling the truth of the question. And as I took my next step, I turned toward a shop of my choosing, ready to see what the next moment would bring. As I moved from shop to shop, I wandered into a cozy store filled with the fragrance of herbs, teas, and handmade soaps. Drawn to speak with the woman who had just opened it, I soon found myself in a conversation that flowed with ease—from a friendly greeting to an hour of shared stories, reflections, and encouragement. Later, as I sat at home and reflected on our exchange, I felt a quiet awe at how Spirit weaves such moments into our lives. How magical and wondrous a chance encounter can be—when we are open to guidance and stay conscious of the intentions that shape our path.

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Artwork © 2025 Valerie Greguire