Seasons......

A few years ago, and I don't know how I started to think this way, I began to see the benefit of looking at nature, as way to get answers about life's questions. Maybe looking at nature as God's way of communicating with us, I am still not sure. We have four seasons and we notice it's not a quick change, it's more of a gradual change. We learn that as bad as a rainy day is, it will stop raining and we will have beautiful sunshine and flowers and green space as a result. As great as that sunny day is, the day when it gets too hot will come and we will get the rainy day to save us from the hot weather. There is beauty in nature as there is beauty in our lives. Yes, there is ugliness, death and violence in nature as well. I believe that we all would benefit from getting in touch with nature. Get out of the house, go outside in any weather, feel it. Walk more and get out of the bubble with wheels. Getting in touch with nature will get you in touch with yourself, and knowing yourself with help you connect with others. Nature, in all it's grace, is such a beautiful thing. Nature is therapy. Make time every week to get out, don't drive, don't watch TV but connect, commune with nature. There is beauty in the infant, there is beauty in the elderly person with many wrinkles sitting in the park. We must live every season of our life in a mindful manner. Enjoy the beauty and awkwardness of every season. Oh, to be a teenager or in your 20's with life ahead yet the fear. To be 40 and 50 and remember that fear and laugh, "how silly" yet at 40 and 50 we have other fears. The fears that an 80 year old would laugh at "how silly". Every season of our lives will be challenging but we need to see the gift in it. While it is difficult to understand, I finally understand how there can be a gift even in difficult times. Childbirth brings fear and pain while creating life and a new family. Death brings grief yet a time to reconnect with family and celebrate a life lived. Find the joy and sunshine, accept your rain, it will make you a better person. It makes you who you are. Happy Summer.