Seasons of Change
As we flow out of summer and into the heart of fall in the upper midwest, we think about the parallels of changing seasons and changing lives. Mother Nature has an established system and cadence for her changes and we can adopt a similar framework for nurturing our own individual changes.
Each season incorporates something fresh and new and important in the overall growth cycle, within nature and for our own nurture.
The great thing about your personal growth cycle is that you can start it at any time, and it may look and feel differently depending upon where you are in the world or in your development journey. Spring, when you plant your seeds of possibility, can take place in March in alignment with Mother Nature’s calendar (in the Northern Hemisphere); or, you can intentionally nurture yourself by bringing “spring” into your development cycle in July, November or other times. Because it’s YOUR growth cycle, YOU get to decide!
For many people, November and December bring both a flurry of activity and a fair amount of reflection. We want to accomplish our goals by year-end, and we are beginning to think about the New Year and how we want it to be. It is possible to stay focused on what’s now while beginning to think about and plan for what’s next.
As you chart your course and plan for the future, consider following the seasonal cycle and consult the song “Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season) by the Byrds:
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late
What is your time for growth? What is your time for acceptance or peace? Plan your development cycle now--remember, it really never is too late!
