I think about the seasons a lot because I am truly affected by the weather, and I know a lot of you are too. Many of us are dreading the gray days ahead, and have to fight against those winter doldrums. Perhaps the joke is on me this year because even though I posted about not liking fall, we have had a wonderful fall here in Virginia and the temperatures continue to be mild even as we make our way into December. But I know this won’t last forever and I will need to figure out how to survive until those first few blooms emerge again in the spring. But this week I’m not thinking about the actual seasons, but instead the seasons of life. I only recently became aware of this idea, that we go through seasons in life, and I’ve put together my own list of seasons that you may have experienced too.

I love this idea of calling the stages of life seasons. I’ll tell you why. If you think about seasons, they are temporary, they are never the same, and they are in a constant state of flux. Just like no two snowflakes are alike, no two seasons are the same from year to year, and the same is true for the seasons of life. We may repeat seasons over the course of our lives, but they won’t be the same. Because we are not the same; and how we react to being in that season will be different because of the people around us, because of our mindset and because of the things we have learned along the way. 

If you search your computer for the seasons of life, you will end up with a multitude of theories. But I’ve come up my own list of seasons, and my thoughts on what happens in that season. Your list will surely be different from mine, but I think it helps to write it down and gain some clarity on where you are, or where you have been, in life. If you’re in a difficult season, take the time to ride it out and know that it will end, and a new one will begin. If you’re in a good season, reach out to someone in a difficult one. There will be a time when we all need help getting through the weeds. 

Season of Contentment- things are running smoothly in your life. You have reached goals or milestones and you are living the life you imagined for yourself.

Season of Challenges- life has thrown you a curveball or several curveballs. Things have become a struggle and you can’t catch a break. You are tired and stressed.

Season of Growth- you are learning a lot in this season. You’re figuring out a career, parenthood, relationships and moving forward intellectually and emotionally.

Season of Change- lots of things in your life are up in the air. This can be an uncomfortable and unsettling season if you don’t like change, or it can be an exciting and thrilling season if you thrive on it.

Season of Sadness- life has taken something from you and caused a major void in your life. Maybe your mental health has declined and you need to reach out for help. This season you must rely on your friends, family or a professional to get you through. We are here for you.

Season of Confusion- you need clarity in this season. You are questioning everything and don’t have any answers. There is a lot of soul searching in this season and that is a good thing. This will lead you into the season of growth and clarity- don’t give up!

Season of Clarity- things are staring to make sense again. You have made some big decisions about your life and you finally trust yourself. You are doing what your were meant to do.

Season of Fortune- isn’t this the ultimate goal? When we can look back at our successes, failures and everything in between and be happy with how our lives turned out? 

Whatever season you find yourself in today, try to be totally present. If we look too far ahead or are constantly looking back, we won’t realize the gift of today. Every season has a lesson if we pause long enough to take it all in.