October 2, 2025
Every day I share both a Thought of the Day and a Question of the Day here on Low Two Pair. Today’s pairing is one of my favorites because it blends a deep truth about resilience with a simple, seasonal reminder to notice what makes life worth celebrating. The Thought of the Day forces me to reflect on how easily we can get stuck when we don’t keep moving, while the Question of the Day asks us to pause and enjoy what we look forward to each fall. Let’s dig in.
Thought of the Day: You drown not by falling into a river, but by staying submerged in it. — Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho has a way of turning life into a parable. This line hit me harder than I expected because it’s not about the fall, it’s about the choice to stay under. Everyone falls into rivers. Some are swift and cold, others shallow and embarrassing. Falling is inevitable. Staying submerged is optional.
When I think about this, I picture those times when I’ve let a bad day spiral into a bad week. Maybe it started with spilled coffee, a late meeting, or one of my kids deciding that 5:00 AM is a great time to practice their new ability to yell the alphabet. Falling in the river is unavoidable. But staying in, staying bitter, sulking, replaying the frustration, that’s when you start to drown.
The truth is, we can’t always choose what pushes us into the water, but we can choose whether we swim, float, or sink. It’s a reminder to get back up, towel off, and keep moving downstream.
Question of the Day: What is something you look forward to every October?
Forget the pumpkin spice. That craze is like the river we just talked about, easy to fall into, harder to climb out of. My October loves are simpler and quieter.
I look forward to the leaves. Every year they remind me that change can be beautiful. Even as the days shorten, there’s this wild explosion of color that feels like nature’s final encore before winter.
I look forward to earlier sunsets, too. Some people find them depressing, but I find them grounding. There’s something cozy about lighting a fire, dimming the lights, and settling in earlier. It’s like the world gives us permission to slow down.
And of course, October is special because it’s my anniversary month. That one day anchors the whole season. It’s not just about a date on the calendar; it’s about pausing to recognize that while the leaves fall and the air grows colder, some things, like commitment and love, only deepen.
What about you? Maybe you live for playoff baseball, Halloween candy raids, or the first time you pull a sweater out of storage. Whatever it is, October has a way of delivering something unique to each of us.
If you’d like another seasonal reflection, you might enjoy my post about the worst thing about autumn or even my playful take on what’s really scary at 3 AM versus 3 PM.
Join the Conversation
What river are you climbing out of right now? And what October ritual do you look forward to the most? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear your take.
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