Year after year, the seasons come and go…reminding us of the constancy of change. The regularity is astonishing, actually, if you stop to think about it…not that we do. There’s no need. Change is so certain in the physical world, we think nothing of it. We expect it. Accept it. We consider it completely natural…because it is.
We could learn a thing or two from nature. Maybe even ten or twenty…or ten thousand. It’s a brilliant teacher…without even trying. By simply doing what comes naturally, change happens without stress or strain. No resistance. No hint of trying to avoid the inevitable or control the way things unfold. Take leaves, for example. Don’t do a thing to change their colors this time of year. Neither do they feel a need to keep it from happening. They know it’s unstoppable, and that falling to the ground will eventually be inescapable. Even necessary.
How different life could be if we viewed change the same way and let it happen as the natural course of things. Of course, we make decisions and choices and plans and all that…but, think about it. Humans spend an inordinate amount of mental, emotional, and physical energy trying to control things we have no power over; coping with change as a problem to be solved or a difficulty to be overcome. But, what if it’s not? What if we considered change normal? Natural? Something to accept, expect, and welcome? What if we finally admitted we’re exhausted by all our attempts to evade certain necessary changes…and that it might be time to let go, even if it feels like falling?
Imagine it for a moment…the relief of letting go. Look around at the changing splendor outside and consider the seasons…how they come and go. Each giving way to the next so naturally…with such ease and beauty.
I love that the same can also be said of us. Even if you’ve resisted change year after year for as long as you can remember or you’ve tried to change for so long you’re not sure how much longer you can hang on, I’m here to tell you…it’s never too late and you don’t have to do it alone. As sure as the seasons come and go…if you stay the course designed for your life, you’ll be astonished by the brilliance of each and every one.
