After experiencing my fair share of heart-breaking moments, I have come to understand that life consistently changes like the seasons. From a delightful summer to a restoring autumn, a harsh winter to a seed-planting springtime – there are undoubtedly 4 seasons of your life.

As the seasons of the year come and go, so too do the seasons of life.

My “a-ha” moment that saw me through these hard times was accepting and grasping that our lives are governed by these seasons. I no longer look at my age or what year it is to accomplish life-long goals, but I allow the seasons of my life to guide me through.

I hope that this blog will perhaps make you pause and reflect on the mystery of life’s 4 seasons through the following three parts:

PART 1. Life is Governed by Seasons

I believe that we are not governed by time but by the seasons of our life.

Seasons have a beginning and they always have an end.

There is a season of joy and a time for sorrow.

Seasons of sowing seeds and a time to harvest the crop.

A season of growth and one of decline.

There will be a season of too many obstacles.

Yet this always changes to doors of opportunities.

There is a season of loss and a time for gain.

A time to work and a season for rest.

A time for births and a season of deaths.

There is a season in which we part ways with those who no longer share our journey and a time to welcome others who are on a similar path to ours.

PART 2. 4 Seasons of Life

The most important element about seasons is that they always change from summer to autumn, winter to spring. 

i) Reaping the Harvest in Summer

Summertime is the season to reap rewards. It’s the time to harvest the crop of the seeds that were sown in the springtime, which have now come into fruition.

If you have been nurturing your relationships in the springtime, the summer can bring with it times of bonding and joy – like the Christmas season we’re in. If you have been putting in long hours of study, or making wise financial investments, or putting your health first, there will come a season of seeing the fruit of your labour.

Summer season is a time to reap the harvest and celebrate rewards.

ii) Restore in Autumn

Summer always ends to make way for autumn. This season is for a time to restore, rebuild, save and stock up as you prepare yourself for the coldness of winter.

It’s that time where you know you’ve had a good time in the summer but if you rest too long, you might witness the fruits of your labour begin to dwindle.

Autumn is the time to begin the hard work again, to be strategic and to get ready for any challenging times that might be around the corner.

iii) Plan for the Next Season in Winter

We all experience winters now and then, which is a time of despair, loss, death, sorrow or any difficulty that will be thrown your way.

If you fail to prepare for this harsh season, you will face a horrendously long and uncomfortable winter. You can face them comfortably by being prepared financially, personally, mentally and psychologically.

Winter season can be used to envision what you would like to reap in the summertime and plan what seeds to strategically sow in the upcoming springtime.

iv) Sowing the Seeds in Spring

Winter always comes to an end to give way to spring. It’s a time to plow the soil and rid of all the weeds.

It’s also a time to clean out your life and remove hurtful people who no longer share your journey or discard items that do not serve your purpose. It’s a time to put away the old and begin with the new.

Spring is the time to plant seeds of success, wealth, love, joy, healthy relationships or whatever it is that you want to see come to fruition when summer comes around.

PART 3. Accept the Season You Are In

The most difficult season, which most of us find challenging to accept, is the phase of sorrow, loss, hardship, obstacle or death of a loved one. However, when you accept that seasons are a part of your life, you may consider entering a difficult chapter with:

• an open heart and mind to learn the lessons life is trying to teach you;

• a will to reflect on your own life and make changes for the next season; or

• a desire to learn about yourself, others and the meaning of life itself.

When you can hang on and be confident in the knowledge that the difficult season you are in will come to an end, it should input a sense of peace and calm in your soul that will keep you steady in the storm.

There are things in life that we have no control over, yet we can keep moving forward if we accept our lot, walk through the open doors and let go of the closed ones.

When you keep sowing good and prosperous seeds, one thing is for sure – summer season will arrive again and the crop will be ready for harvest.

Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun…”

As this festive season comes to an end, may you be filled with joy, hope and preparation for new beginnings and a fresh understanding of the seasons in your life in 2016. I wish you a prosperous and a Happy New Season!