Embracing the Seasonal

Some things, people, and interests are permanently a part of my life, etched into my very being like an ancient petroglyph on stone. 

My husband, my love of the outdoors, my devotion to my family, my best friend, my complicated relationship with my own body and food…will always be part of my life in some capacity.

Not everything is meant to be forever, though. There have been friendships that have come and gone, struggles I’ve gotten over, and interests that meant everything at one point, but are now a faint memory. 

And that is ok.

This blog, for example…I have seasons where I have such a strong desire to put ideas to paper (or keyboard) and share them. Other times, like the last few months, I have been more internal. The writing is still happening, but the sharing is more limited.

And that is ok. 

I don’t have anyone paying me to do this and holding deadlines over my head. It’s purely a way for me to connect with others via writing and sharing, when it works for ME. That happens seasonally.

I used to be a diehard CrossFitter (insert all the CrossFit jokes here). As my life has morphed into more outdoors than in, and my interests have swung heavily to hiking, backpacking, biking, skiing, and recreating outside, my love for CrossFit dwindled, slowly at first, and now it’s barely a blip on my “things I want to do today” radar. 

It was seasonal. 

I needed that high intensity workout style for years. I remember counting down the minutes in my cubicle those last few years with the Forest Service, just waiting to get out of there and into the gym. It was my happy place, where I blew off steam, and my primary social outlet. 

I have a few friendships that were necessary for a particular time period of my life, but were never meant to be lifelong. Perhaps we found something in each other that we needed or could give temporarily, and then due to life changes or job changes, we went our separate ways. And that’s ok!

What I’m trying to say is, I am thankful for seasons. Although change, even expected change, is hard, it also brings forth the new and sometimes unexpected. Creative ideas and my willingness to spend time on them come and go, so my posts will continue to do the same. CrossFit doesn’t feel as good now as it once did, so I’ve found other ways to get a great workout, yet be kind to and listen to my own body’s needs. Past friendships, while special, are just that- in the past.

Like the snow that is (hopefully!) about to start falling, change is an inevitable part of life. Being thankful and mindful in the present moment helps me embrace each season as it comes and goes. 

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Noticing the seasons reminds me that even the many emotions I feel are temporary. Thank GOD for that!

“This too shall pass” is a beautiful reminder that if your present moment is difficult and dark, lighter and beautiful times are over that next horizon. The scorching heat of summer eventually gives way to cool, crisp fall days, that eventually turn cold (and maybe even white). Then, just about the time we’re tired of the cold, the blossoms and birds of spring start to appear, giving us a new hope that things will get better. 

What season are you in right now? What thing, while seemingly endless and challenging, do you need to remind yourself is only here for a season?