Seasons Come and Seasons Go

Seasons come and seasons go. Summer is slipping away and the transition to Fall is nearing. I don’t mind Fall, except for the reminder that cold is coming and will stay on for what always seems like an endless amount of time. The change of seasons brings with it familiar comfortable things, like cozy sweaters, cute boots, and warm campfires. I also like soup and casserole season after a summer of grilling savory meats and fresh garden veggies. Like mother nature transitions our outside world from one season to the next, we go through the rituals of transition too. Life is ever moving, ever changing, ever growing and we must go through the motions necessary to not only survive but to thrive.

“A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.” Liberty Hyde Bailey

Some seasons are harder than others and the ability to grow is hindered from time to time. This not only goes for what is happening outdoors, it is also true for our inner self. Without proper care, we wither like a plant losing it’s leaves from the lack of water or sun. The neglected leaves turn yellow, droop and eventually fall off.  This is similar to relationships that aren’t cultivated, or emotional health that is left unattended for too long. We must take the time to walk through our garden, tending to our needs to ensure we are thriving properly in this harsh busy world.

With the transition from carefree summer to crazy fall schedules, it’s important to be aware of not only where you are or where you are going, but how you feel. Are you steady or strung out; anxious or carefree; kind or obnoxious? Where are the roots of these emotions, are they deep-seated or shallow? This is where thriving starts. Every good garden begins with a foundation of soil, sun, water, but we must remember to feed and weed from time to time too. There are things in our lives that are good for us so we need to nurture and care for those and for the things holding us back it’s time to weed them out.

Take time to smell the roses, but be mindful of the thorns.