Like the seasons of the year, our lives ebb and flow in cycles. By acknowledging that our lives are part of nature, we can appreciate that “for everything there is a season." During each season, we must remember to embrace and appreciate everything for what it is, in its proper time and place. Consider the following parable.
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in 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 disagreed, saying it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son also disagreed he said 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 he 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 that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that 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, and the fulfillment of your fall.
This parable teaches us many lessons. We cannot let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest, nor can we judge life (or a person) by one difficult season. We need to persevere through the difficult phases and remember that better times are sure to come. As you cycle through the seasons of your life, reflect on these questions.
- What “harvests" have occurred during the past year in your life for which you are grateful?
- What “seeds" have you planted in your life? Which seeds are still under soil, collecting the strength to sprout to the surface? Which seeds have started to sprout and require your nurturing for continued growth? Which seeds are growing nicely into new relationships, connections, endeavors, or opportunities?
- What seeds would you like to plant now for harvest later?
- What needs “weeding" in your life? What needs to be pruned? What requires some additional fertilizer, and what has ripened and is calling out for you to recognize and fully enjoy it?
As you count your blessings, you can let go of what is ebbing in your life with gratitude, knowing that new growth will occur and you will once again be able to reap the harvests of the changing seasons of your life.
Coach Deb provides personal, professional and life coaching services that provide challenge, inspiration, focus, support and accountability to those who want to learn how ebb and flow through the seasons of their lives. She can be reached via e-mail at coachdeb@adelphia.net.
Copyright 2006 Coach Deb |
