As summer gives way to autumn, use the season to enhance your breathing space.

Clear the dead wood. As the trees let go of their leaves, why not let go of what no longer applies or can be given away?

Go through your kitchen cabinets, get all canned goods you don't want or need, and donate them to your local food bank or homeless shelter. See if you can eliminate four things from your to-do list each week. Schedule at least an hour of uninterrupted time for yourself each day.

Put aside some of your earnings this month as an investment or for a vacation. Better yet, deposit your money into an interest-bearing account and don't look at it or touch it again until at least the end of the year.

Act Now!

Before it gets too cold, spend a Saturday morning cleaning all of your windows with vinegar and water. You'll be amazed at the dimness you've accepted as light for so long. Set up your own home recycling center so you can conveniently stash newspapers, cans, bottles, and so forth. Knowing you're helping the environment can give you a sense of breathing space.

Daylight savings time ends in eight weeks, so take advantage of fall evenings. Attend a free lecture some evening about a topic that is outside of your professional interests. Instead of listening to the radio or stereo, buy a self-help, motivational, or fiction tape. Libraries loan books on tape, too. Do this monthly.

Last, take one last swim in a nearby outdoor pool or lake.  And take your children apple picking one autumn afternoon!