Opinions
Like the seasons
September 22, 2013 was the first official day of autumn for us here in Canada. The change of pace from summer to autumn is quite bittersweet, isn’t it? You have the handful of people who cannot wait to welcome the new season, those who want to hold on to the passing season forever, and those who may be indifferent. Regardless of what category you fall in, I would propose that this change stirs up certain emotions for all of us. For me in particular, every time there are season shifts, I cannot help but compare that with the changes in life.
There are several things in life that, no matter what we try to do to hold onto them, eventually need to pass by.
Some examples that come to mind are:
- Saying goodbye to recess and saying hello to junior high school
- The shift from junior high to high school, needing to change schools, and being separated from some of your closest friends
- Graduating from high school, applying for post-secondary, and the intense time invested in studying requires you to say goodbye to social life
- Particular friendships that are proven to have an expiration date
- Particular relationships that just did not work out
Those mentioned above are merely examples from the tip of the iceberg, but I am convinced that we can all think of more.
At this point, I want to make something very clear: I am not trying to suggest that we give up when the time is rough. I believe that if you are confident that something is worth fighting for, then you better be fighting for it! However, we do need to acknowledge that there are appropriate times to let go and move on because that season is over. “Seasons of life are gifts from God that last as long as they are meant to last and not one moment longer” – The Single Woman, Mandy Hale,
Letting go is never easy and moving on does not happen overnight. However, everything truly happens for a reason, and every season definitely has its reason. The season may not last for as long as we would like it to, but the memories and lessons learned will remain unchanged. We should continue to encourage ourselves to see the lessons behind the seasons of our lives.
A very famous saying regarding moving on: “If God closes the door, then open a window.” But if God also closes the window, then it may be a sign for you to build a completely new house. It is so easy to stay with what is comfortable. The security of it all feels so safe. However, I cannot wear my summer dress in the winter (especially here in “Winter-peg” brrr) nor should I wear my rain boots in the outdoor pool on a hot Summer day. In this same way, in life I cannot force something if it is not meant to happen that way.
So whether it be moving schools, changing career paths, moving on from a past relationship, and many more – there is something better waiting for you just a couple blocks down the road. It is always nice to look back and embrace yesterday’s memories, but the past was never designed for us to stay in. Slow and steady is always better than not moving at all. Moving on is not synonymous to running away. We must accept that something is over and enter into the new with an open mind and open heart.
So I invite whoever is reading this right now to continue to live your life and do not be afraid to live in the moment and live in this season fully. However, when something ends, be smart enough to let go and recognize that it is a beautiful opportunity to begin again.