3 Steps to Enjoy the Season you are in.
The leaves are changing, the air is crisp, and school is starting. This is the end of summer and soon to be the beginning of fall. I love this time of year. We open the windows and air out the house. We visit orchards where we pick apples, sip on hot cider and snuggle up next to the bonfire in our hoodies with friends and family. Schedules change as the schools starts again. This is a time of year for a reset. My life returns to a slower pace and with a more predictable schedule and routines. This is not the case for everyone. I have a ton of friends where school starting means their life ramps up and they are way busier than they were in the summer. Whatever this season change brings for you, it is important to enjoy where you are at.
Seasons can be more than just the changing of weather. Our lives go through seasons too. There may be seasons of joy and that of sorrow as well as seasons where you work hard and others where you rest. Sometimes we have times of abundance and others that feel like we are walking in the wilderness. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” All that we do is in God’s will, timing and purpose. Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” In life I have found that some seasons feel much longer than others and those tend to be the difficult and trying ones that lead to seasons of thriving and growth. I think these two scriptures speak to that. Galatians 6:9 says “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” and Psalms 1:3 “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” Each season has its purpose and let’s talk about how to enjoy where you are at.
Here are 3 steps to help you enjoy the season you are in right now.
1 Embrace Change. If there is one thing you can count on it is that things will not stay the same. So the more you can embrace change the easier it will be to enjoy. You can try to embrace the season by looking at what you can learn from or in this time. Another way is to set specific goals or intentions when you know the season is changing. This will help you acknowledge that the season change is happening and help you lead the way into the change by embracing it.
2 Be Actively Involved or Present. Whatever the season you are in is requiring of you be there in it. If you are in a season of rest then be actively involved in resting. If you are in a season of harvest or preparation those require hard work, and you should be actively involved in the tasks at hand. Being actively involved or present can also mean practicing mindfulness, journaling, or taking time to talk to the people that are in the same room with you. Instead of worrying about the tasks that the next season holds for you focus on the task that this season requires of you and it will be easier to enjoy where you are at in the moment.
3 Connect with Others. Chances are you are not the only one experiencing what you are going through. If it is winter your neighbors are likely trying to pay their heating bill, plow snow (if you live up north like me), and find a way to have fun through the long cold dark nights. If you connect with them, you may find an opportunity to serve them by helping with something they are struggling with in the same season. Connecting with others and serving them can help lift your spirits and theirs. If you are in a tough season like trying to pay off debt, finding a community of people that are working towards the same goal can also be very motivating and help you celebrate the small joys and wins along the way.
So, no matter what season you are in there are ways to enjoy right where you are at. Entering my favorite time of year has me motivated, excited, and looking forward to changes. One thing I am very excited to share is that the blog and podcast are going to start bringing you information in mini-series format. This means the topics we discuss will be coming to you with a topic focus that hopefully will meet you where you are at in the season you are in! I can’t wait to share all this with you.
