Four Seasons

The phrase ‘four seasons’ evokes a lot of memories for me, it reminds me of the Four Seasons hotel in Nevis Island which was a gorgeous hotel with amazing facilities.

It’s also a phrase that applies to the weather we’ve heard in the past couple of weeks. From 19 degrees one day to sub zero weather conditions a few days later, hailstorms and snow enough to cause freak accidents with sun shining as though we were already in summer.

And of course the spring flowers are trying to remind us that while it may feel as cold as winter days, spring is actually here.

Over the past year, it’s been challenging to maximise the seasons. Summer holidays were cancelled, so were winter holidays, barbecues couldn’t happen with wider family and friends because of lockdown.

The sports that highlighted the beauty of each season were either cancelled or played without audiences so we missed the thrill of participation.

Much more significant is the fact that these four seasons also apply to our personal lives in terms of how we live, feel and grow. Our lives can be split into seasons as well.

There are many people right now who are in a tough season in their lives for various reasons. The season that we’ve been in since the start of the pandemic has taken a toll on many people’s emotional, mental, psychological and physical well being. Sadly not everyone coped well with it or overcame their challenges.

In the past week, many acquaintances have lost their loved ones and are still reeling from the pain of their loss. No one is immune to the change in seasons and what each season brings.

This week, The United Kingdom has lost a key member of its royal family. The family members have lost a father, grand and great grand father and the Queen has lost perhaps the most significant person in her life at a late stage in her own season of life. A whole nation mourns.

Nothing protects us from the realities of the seasons, they happen but we must take heart in each season, make a decision to keep living through it knowing well that seasons change even if they initially drag on.

I listened to a podcast this week as a group of three women who are also friends discussed the menopause which isn’t the most commonly discussed topic. There was much to laugh about but there was also a lot to appreciate about this challenging season that every woman eventually goes through.

If you’re interested in listening to the podcast titled, ‘nothing pausing about menopause’, by Pamela Egbo, here’s the link. You might just find out you’re not going crazy but you’re definitely in a crazy season. https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ot2pfq113FeegeHfGDyCq?si=tEYg2IL0RI2Fh7ykTE0SDQ

As adults we go through seasons of being our parent’s carers, and then seasons of laying them to rest. As my children grew up, I went through seasons of being a ‘soccer and cathedral choir’ mum with my weeks revolving round many activities.

This season changed and a new season of sending them off to university and to careers came. Soon enough it will evolve into the season of seeing them build their own homes.

Whatever season you find yourself in, appreciate it, be grateful that you’re alive and going through it and remember that others around you and not too dissimilar. Also find people to talk to and ways to make the most of each season.

Above all, remember there’s an opportune time to do things and a right time for everything on earth. Each season is a right time for us to do something that the season is made for.

We grow in seasons of adversity and loss, we celebrate in seasons of victories, we heal and mend in seasons of sickness. Look beyond the obvious joys and disappointments of your seasons and see what other hidden gems are hidden, in them, just for you.

Thanks for reading and sharing my post with others. Have an awesome week.