In other pieces, I know I’ve written about giving each season their merit instead of always waiting for the benefits of the next one. This can be a challenge for me. After all, it’s less work to thrive under the summer sun than to shovel in the winter wind. Similar to stages in life; we experience joys and disappointments as a consequence of our longevity. Eventually, we cast our hopes to the next phase or the one following the next phase; recognizing how each season of the journey carries drawbacks and benefits.
I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to drive a car and yet the ownership of a vehicle later in life was daunting. I sought a permanent employment contract to better plan for my future, and yet the moments of job uncertainty provided freedom for adventures. I wanted to lighten my work life, but missed the daily energy that comes with solving problems.
I find myself still trying to figure out what experiences are worth accumulating during each cycle and what each stage requires of me. What wisdom can I gather and what will the next steps be?
I think I need to learn to let the next phase just slide willingly into my life while focusing on what I’m facing in the present. Predict; if I can. Plan; sure. Be mindful of the present; absolutely! Putting this goal into practice is a constant work in progress: a life in all seasons.
What does Autumn ask?
What does Autumn ask of us?
To collect and store our comfort
To wipe away our summer sweat
To let blossoms fall and cozy to the soil
To colour joy into Mother Nature's shift
What does Winter ask of us?
To muffle the sharpness under a blanket of white
To respect the wind blowing
To search for internal sources of warmth
To thrive boldly in the harshest beauty
What does Spring ask of us?
To share her schedule for hope
To recall the noises of the natural
To work losses into nourishing the future
To rally sleepers into celebrating possibilities
What does Summer ask of us?
To bathe in sand, surf and sunflowers
To permit blue skies and golden rays to soothe
To recognize the moving, spotted shade
To commit to the companionship of the panorama
What does Autumn ask of us?
To ............
B. Toner October 2022