We are deep into Autumn now.
The brilliant colors that adorned the trees just a few days ago now line the streets waiting to be hauled away to become compost.
The warm sunny Fall afternoons have turned chilly reminding us that Winter is just around the corner.
At times, I feel as if at 63 ,I am probably in the Autumn of my life.
Hopefully,I am still in that brilliant color part of the season.
One of my greatest fears is that soon, way too soon, my leaves will begin to fall.
Once the process begins, there is no turning back.
It's a grey day here and unusually for me, I find myself reflecting on the past rather than looking ahead to tomorrow. 
This morning, I found myself thinking about my best friend from my childhood.
When did I abandon that friendship?
BTW.....listening to retro music on the radio is not helping me stay focused on the future!
All sorts of fond memories of friends , people who have touched my life  or even just crossed paths with me are flooding my thoughts today.
I wish I could tell each and every one of them that I am thinking of them and how much I cherish the memories.
The whole experience is making me sad.
Since I last wrote to you, I have been wrestling with the concept of JOY.
When my brother launched his life coaching career, he adopted the phrase
"Choose Happy"
as his motto,or catch phrase or slogan or mantra.
It makes a huge difference.
I know I have the opportunity every day to 
Choose Happy.
Joy seems different to me. Joy feels like something that has to be cultivated.
It grows inside of me.
When I did music 
(note I said did not played)
it brought me joy.
When I do for others, it brings joy into my being.
Like a warm fire,if I tend to my joy,it continues to grow and it continues to comfort me. 
When I neglect  joy, the embers inside me go cold and joy fades away.
We choose happy.
 Joy is a state of being for me. 
I guess maybe my mantra should be 
Be Joyful?