“Seasons change – let them change” ~Sylvia Good
The squirrels have been more active the last week or so, and so have the school busses. I actually just saw leaves falling off of a tree today as well. The signs are immanent that summer is starting to wane.
photo by uccsbiology
I will not say it is coming to a close just yet, I’m not ready and there are still some great weeks of summer to yet be lived. I can, however, see the days are getting shorter. It reminds me that nothing lasts forever.
A while ago I heard Jim Rohn talk about the seasons of life. Winter, spring, summer, and fall are all displayed in nature as well as in our lives and businesses.
Knowing what season you are in is invaluable for many reasons.
First off, simply knowing that life has seasons and no season lasts forever gives you wonderful perspective. You are therefore able to label the season you are in and know what actions to take.
Springtime is full of new budding life.
Working your land, planting and weeding are important in springtime. Planning ahead and having a vision for what will be needed come fall and winter are important in the spring.
Summer is plentiful and easy.
It tans your skin and puts a whimsical smile on your face. Seasons of summer are meant to be enjoyed and reveled in. They are full and busy and bring joy and happy exhaustion. We all need summers and they do indeed come.
Fall is refreshment but also a time to gather.
Gather and store up, but also to step back and enjoy the grandeur of your life and breathe in the crisp newness of each new day. Stockpiling is done in the fall. Putting away extra reserve for the lean times.
Winters are hard, cold and they feel never-ending.
There is beauty in the winter as well, but it is different. It takes your breath away it is sharp and piercing like ice on bare skin. Lessons learned in the winter are never forgotten. Winters are times for reflection and introspection.
Winter then without fail always gives way to spring. The ice melts and the birds start to sing. Spring into summer and the cycle begins again.
Looking over my life thus far, I can now clearly see seasons. I am therefore constantly on the lookout for the seasons I am presently facing and it gives me great hope and peace.
Question: Have you ever thought about your life in seasons?
I have, Claudia and I am very in tune with the seasons. I see people like you and Michael with little Jude and see you are in the spring – after almost 30 years of marriage and children who are young adults and getting ready to begin their own families I realize we are in early fall. But in my business I am still in the spring and it’s pretty awesome to experience different seasons physically and also in different areas of your life at the same time.
It is awesome Ann!
Yea, I’ve been thinking we are coming into spring myself 😉
And you make a good point, there are different seasons for the different aspects of our lives as well (family, business etc)
Claudia – Excellent post! Over the past three years in particular I have truly seen my life in terms of the seasons. Each season would play out in contrasting colors and hues. Cancer was a season of winter, desolate and unyielding. Watching my Mom as the veil of Alzheimer’s took over, I could see the summer, fall and now winter season come into play. In each season God’s presence shielded and comforted me. Currently I am in a summer season with a new job opportunity at my heels. It is an exciting time.
Thanks Cindy!
Wow, I am excited to join you in our journey during this time!
You have wonderful perspective and I know I always say it, but a powerful story!!
Thank you Claudia – I think all these seasons has taught me more about perspective on a whole.
I love Jim Rohn’s talk on the seasons of life. We have experienced all these seasons in our home with my wife’s struggles and illnesses alongside the triumph of newness of our little girl being born. There is always change a-coming though. It’s the system of nature God created and one that we must embrace. Systems are powerful – you can either join along and understand them or fight for a lifetime trying to make it different.
Can you point me in the direction of getting that particular read from Jim Rohn?
Oddly enough, I’ve never read any of Jim’s books. Jim has a very distinct voice, so like to listen to him speak. There is a 2 CD set I checked out at the library named “The Art Of Exceptional Living” that I initially heard this on. I know Claudia has listened to the same recording. I noticed he does have an actual book called The Seasons Of Life.
Here is an excerpt I found from that recording:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkibVhZkBZs
Me too Michael!
And you sure have gone through some trying seasons! I like how you said you can either join along or fight for a lifetime trying to make it different. Well said.
Oh Lord of the Rings – how wonderful you are!! 🙂 love that movie and love that part, thanks for posting that bit of joy and perspective 🙂