All Seasons

Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall

One thing that has always amazed me growing up was coming to the realization that we are not so far removed from nature as some people may think. We’ve all heard the common phrase that we all go through seasons, times when changes take effect in our lives whether we like it or not.

Winter; characterized by cold and ice, a state of stillness where growth is halted by a harsh climate or frozen environment. No matter how bleak this time may appear it’s actually beneficial. This is the best time for self reflection and pulling resources back into the center or self where it’s most needed. Here growth is represented by strengthening our internal structures for the coming seasons. So what appears to be a cold frozen tree in the outside could actually be a sleeping giant waiting to sprout in spring?

“I take summers off coz I love winter beef…” Nas – Thief’s Theme

Spring; the sun’s out softening the cold ice and melting away our frozen state, there are new water sources to quench our thirst. Anything that was dormant now taps into its internal reserves eager to sprout. You’re looking fresh, untouched and energetic. No one would ever think you just made it out of one of the coldest periods in your life just a season ago. You just dropped a new album, just had a screening for a fresh batch of paintings or just got a series of poems published out of what seems to be nowhere. But only you know that in your winter period you had scribbled some ideas that now are taking root.

Summer; things are good, the birds are out chirping, new connections are being made and you're shinning. You start to harvest the fruits of your labor. Everyone wants to be around you, but as the grass (money) around you keeps growing fast, some snakes start crawling out for a bit of that shine. This is the best time to be cautious and start saving. But funny enough when things are going this good we rarely think that anything bad can happen. We're in such a good place that we think this great run will stretch out for a while that we forget to bank. Picture this; you're out in the park feeding pigeons and you notice a squire running with a nut but it doesn’t jog your memory to save too. Heck! You’re human you don’t live out in the wild, until fall starts; bills pile up, deals go south and your sophomore album tanks in sales.    

Fall (autumn); characterized with drying and falling leaves, grey skies and a less warm climate. This is the time when you harvest what you can and prepare to let things go, when you either lose people or things. It’s also a period where (depending on your occupation) people may say you fell from grace. The tail end of fall doesn’t normally hit people the same way. To some it may mean tightening your belts and getting rid of expensive activities or financially draining items. While for others it may actually describe losing face, a position, resources or everything. Just like the trees may lose their leaves the very thing that they depend on to make food, so can someone lose everything that described who they were in society and suddenly find themselves out in the winter cold!

And the cycle repeats itself again and again. So now when someone says it’s my season, I wonder which one they’re actually in.

“Winter is here!” Game of Thrones