The Changing of the Seasons

With the turning of the leaves from green to brilliant reds, oranges and yellows, I can’t help but think of the changing seasons. It’s such a great metaphor for so many aspects of our lives.  Just about everything has a cycle or rhythm to it. I try hard to remember that during the down turns.

When you are working towards your goals, there will be times full energy and productivity and times of slothfulness with little or no progress. This cycle exists on many levels. Some months yield huge leaps ahead while other months seem to have been spent in stasis. During any given week, there will be days when you jump out of bed energized and ready to get busy and other days when the snooze button gets a workout and you never quite get revved up. Even within a day, you will have waves of productivity and rest.

Accepting these natural cycles goes a long way to enjoying both the highs and the lows. It will help you capitalize on and be grateful for the productive times, while moving through the down times with grace and ease. I used to spend a lot of time and energy fighting against the low times or scolding myself for lack of focus and miniscule progress. Not surprisingly, that just made the lows even lower and last longer.

These days I remind myself that slow times are part of the cycle. I look at the bigger picture beyond the ‘wasted afternoon’ or ‘unproductive day’. I recognize that my body and soul need time for rest. I take an honest look inside to see if there is a bigger block that needs to be cared for, but more often than not, these times are simply a natural slowing of the rhythm. By accepting that, and welcoming it with gratitude, the funniest thing happens. While staying in the slow rhythm, beautiful creations unfold.

I invite you to welcome in the slow rhythms with grace and observe the magic that appears.  Then come back here and tell us about it. I love hearing your stories.