Copyright © [Surabhi Parashar] [2026]. All Rights Reserved.¹

I saw a cardinal today! Summer is gone, and fall is giving a knock at our door already. As seasons change, I tend to get reflective. As we get older, the years go by, and we start to live from season to season. The changing weather reminds us that it is time to shift gears. Perhaps time to get a new hobby, be creative or be more disciplined and change a few habits. What we choose and how we tackle the change all depends on our persona. But seasons do speak to us all.

And when you live in Canada, the charm of the fall is simply impossible to resist. The warm summer days are over, and with the breezy winds and falling leaves, we get the reminder that we need to get back to our routine. For me, fall always feels like a new start. Just like New Year’s, fall marks the beginning of new routines, new patterns and new habits. Kids go back to school. In the office, teammates come back from vacation, and the holiday mood comes to a halt. It’s not just about the maple leaves and changing colours. In fall, once again, life shifts gears.

Coming back to the birds, I saw a hummingbird from my kitchen window this morning. September is probably the last month to see these pretty birds outside. And although a cardinal sighting is somewhat possible in this season, I would like to probe into the spiritual meaning of sighting a cardinal. This morning, with my coffee, I was thinking about life and reflecting when I saw a cardinal. Life always takes twists and turns, no matter how well we plan. Life always throws a curveball our way. Now it’s up to us how we face the challenges and get through the tough times.

In Christian philosophy, sighting a cardinal is linked to the guardian angels. It is said that when you see a cardinal around Christmas, especially in the snow. That means your guardian angels or the souls of your ancestors are nearby and watching over you. We all look for answers when we tend to go through tough times. Some of us seek faith in religion, while others go to elders in the family or a trusted friend. Basically, we all need a crutch, just for the time being, to steer away from that difficult phase of life.

It is important to remember – just breathe!!! No matter how many times you have failed or how hard you tried. Life turns into a jumbled puzzle over and over again. If you lost a loved one, it is imperative to look for answers. Take one day at a time – take small steps. You don’t have to be productive, you don’t have to chase your goal incessantly, and you don’t have to feel happy and content always.

The denouement of my morning reflections is unvarnished. Life is the biggest teacher. The faith in guardian angels, the sighting of a cardinal or angel numbers on your microwave are all symbolic. Life was never meant to be plain or easy. All we have to do is learn from our own lives. That one well-wisher in your life is the biggest symbol – the universe is trying to tell you that you will get through this too. Sometimes, all we need to do is breathe, have faith in ourselves, and hold on to the hope that all will be well. 😊

1. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to [Surabhi Parashar] and [mindful-echoes.com] with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
   _{Copyright protection for computerized literary works applies automatically when a work is originally authored and fixed.} ↩︎