For everything in life, there is a time and a season.
I remember shivering, standing on one of London’s overground train platforms with my fiancée (now my wife) on a Sunday evening in Autumn 2002, waiting for a train heading towards East London. I had just arrived from Nigeria to the UK to pursue my masters degree. She had warned me about the winter season that was round the corner.
One of the things I learnt quickly about seasons in the UK was how to prepare for them. From that time till February the following year, I wore two trousers, three/four layers of tops, and my overall winter coat. Not forgetting my two layers of thick socks and gloves. That was the best way I could cope with the extreme weather changes and was not ashamed at any point in this process.
Everyone, irrespective of their age, status, background or accolade will go through at least four seasons at every stage in life
Life, as we all know it, does not unfold in one day, a season, an event or even an encounter. It unfolds over different seasons, and each experience is unique and different from the last one. Looking back on my adventure so far in the United Kingdom, I can tell you I have experienced every season in every area of my life, literally and figuratively. Understanding these seasons and peculiar times will give you a fresh perspective of what is happening or will happen in your life. It is not a matter of if, but when. Everyone, irrespective of their age, status, background or accolade will go through at least four seasons at every stage in life. It is a cycle we can’t fight or resist. Arming yourself with this simple truth will save you from many years of pain and heartache.
Each season has its requirements, and as long as you know what to do, you will not only survive the season or bad patch, you will thrive. Where the complication lies is when we don’t know what to do with what the season is presenting to us.
My sister shared this interesting story with me in 2012. An Asian father wanted to teach his four sons vital lessons about seasons and not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree a great distance away from their house. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in the summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said, “No! It was covered with green buds and full of promise.” The third son disagreed, saying it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful. It was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them and said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.
The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree’s life.He told them, “You cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season. The essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.”
If you give up when it’s winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, the fulfillment of your fall.
Could having a fresh look at nature explain some of life’s difficult questions and ambiguities? Can you relate to this story? Can you identify which season you are in at the moment? Winter? Spring? Summer or Autumn?
The Four Seasons
Winter Season
Winter is the cold season where we have longer nights and shorter days. It is the time of difficulty, uncertainty, hardship, and gloom. Some winters can be life threatening, dangerous, harsh, and unfavourable. I experienced the Canadian winter in 2012 and it was nothing compared to what I had experienced in the UK. I was brave though to go for a run in a -15 degrees temperature twice during my five-week stay. How did I manage that? I was fully and properly kitted. Despite their extreme winter conditions, nothing stops. They know what the weather requires and each year, everyone is ready. I got to know about winter tyres in Canada.
It is important you know that the difficult time you are experiencing is for a season, a period. Like the father advised his sons, don’t judge yourself by only one season.
Spring Season
Spring follows the winter season. It is possible to have crossed over to spring but still be experiencing winter conditions. This does not change the fact that there has been a transition, the end of a season that welcomes the beginning of the next experience. Over the transition, the leaves and flowers begin to blossom, freshness is introduced to a moody situation. Suddenly, you begin to have clarity, can see the light at the end of the tunnel and once again, you have hope for tomorrow.
Summer Season
The summer follows Spring. By far, it is the most preferred season . In this season, everything works out for you. You enjoy life, you’re free to do whatever you want without any restriction or limitation. There is excitement and joy all around. You can even afford to slow down, take a vacation and rest. You feel unlimited, ready to conquer the world. These are happy days.
Autumn Season
The last of the seasons is Autumn. I prefer to call it the transition season. It is not too cold, neither is it too hot. This is the time the leaves begin to fall from the branches of trees. It is a transition from happy days into another adventure of uncertainties, cloudiness, and harshness. It can be a time when your fears are overshadowing your faith and confidence, you begin to doubt yourself, feeling unsettled and worrying constantly about what has not happened, the “what if” moments.
There are potential harvests in every season.Having the right perspective and willingness to do what’s required are key to reaping the harvest
As you can see, each season is unique and peculiar. As such, each season should be approached with a ground zero mentality, a mentality that is willing to forget the experiences of the last season and is ready to learn and receive everything the new season can possibly offer. There are potential harvests in every season. Having the right perspective and willingness to do what’s required are key to reaping the harvest. Think about your current situation. Where can you place yourself within these seasons? What do you think you can do in addition to what you have done so far to thrive in that season? What are the threats and opportunities in your current season? These are questions that can give you clarity and an understanding of your season.
Still feeling stuck? I can help you gain the clarity you need to forge ahead. Complete the form below and I will to contact you within 48 hours.
