Be aware of what season you are in and give yourself the grace to be there. ~ Kristen Dalton
I currently make my home in Florida, and as we approach the middle of September, we start to get our first hints of cooler weather. I much prefer warmer weather to colder, but I do have to admit that by this time of year, I am ready for a new cooler season! Fall has always been a favorite season of mine. When I lived back in the Colorado Mountains, the burst of color was inspiring. It was the ‘shoulder season’ when the summer tourists had gone, and the ski crowd and snow shoveling were still a few months away. Our small mountain town slowed down, and we enjoyed the brilliant blue skies, yellow aspens, crisp days, and layering up in new sweaters.
In Florida, we don’t have dramatic seasonal weather changes. However, they still make an appearance and are genuinely welcome – especially after a hot summer season, and especially by us golfers! As the humidity wanes in September, our skies also reflect a deeper, striking blue. I notice more of nature around me when the sky is bluer. It appears to highlight and contrast the green of our trees more. Everything feels brighter. It’s the last flourish before the cooler days of late fall when a few of our leaves really do change color, and mother nature starts winding down to rest a bit.
Our own journey through life is somewhat like the changing seasons. We have periods when we are fully blooming, and everything is going splendidly. Then a slowdown that might lead to meandering and languishing. Perhaps an overwhelming hibernation. And then sparks of color lead to beautiful blossoms again. The cycle repeats over and over through all of our years. We have a rhythm to our lives, and it should be honored. Much is written about the astrological seasons and their impact on our physical and personal environments. The ancient life science of Ayurveda schools us on living in harmony with the seasons and rhythm of nature, especially as it relates to our specific body types and diets. We naturally slide into Mother Nature’s different seasons by nourishing our bodies with the timely crops we find at farmer’s markets and local grocery stores.
Although society seems to encourage us to be in perpetual bloom and keep us stuck in the never-ending conveyer belt of constant advancement, improvement, and production, we must respect our natural seasons. We must also embrace our periods of rest, playfulness, and downtime to recharge ourselves. It’s ok to slow down when your natural rhythms are nudging you to do so. It is ok to shift gears to another cadence. Let your intuition guide you through your seasons.
We may have many physical and emotional seasons throughout our years. They can range from a day or two to months. In addition to being related to Mother Nature’s and astrological seasons, our personal phases can happen in and around relationship changes, new jobs, new homes, raising kids, health concerns, caretaking of partners and aging parents, and a loved one’s death.
When I find myself in a bit of emotional limbo, I try to pause and meditate on what’s happening and whether or not a new phase is emerging. If it is, I try to discover the hidden message of what I need at the time. Sometimes I need space and time for myself to connect with my inner soul and find a new rhythm. Other times I need to find joy and comfort in connections with family and friends. And then there are those times I feel the need to allow myself more fun, playful and silly times. Maybe even a guilt-free Netflix binging day (not days, I have to remind myself, lol!). There are also times when I just can’t figure it out, and I have to be patient for the answers to show themselves.
It is hard to figure out what we need at times. And that’s ok too. We sometimes need to rely on our intuition to guide us. This is where stillness comes in handy. When we can be more still in our thoughts, our intuition has greater freedom to speak to us. When we can step away from the busyness of our lives for just a moment, we allow space for our new phase to settle in. We allow ourselves time to figure out what we need more of in our lives and what we can let go of. When struggling to pass through a particular phase, we need to be gentle and understanding with ourselves. When we recognize our suffering and become detached from it, we are better equipped to pass into our next season with grace and ease.
When you are amidst a personal seasonal change, have an open mind. Investigate the reasons. Question your old beliefs and move towards something different. Discover new personal revelations and truths. Be inquisitive. Open your heart and mind to the universe’s signs and invite its guidance. I believe we can learn to flow more effortlessly between our seasons of change with practice. I like B. Oakman's take on this: ‘Every season is one of becoming, but not always one of blooming. Be gracious with your ever-evolving self.’
How do you journey through your seasons of change?
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