This week is Part Three of our three part series on The Seasons of Life.
In Part One of the series we discussed:
a) That life is about constant, predictable patterns of change.
b) For all of us, the only constant factor is our feelings and attitudes toward life.
c) We as human beings have the power of attitude and that attitude determines choice, and choice determines results.
d) Life and business are like the changing seasons.
e) You cannot change the seasons, but you can change yourself.
f) A major lesson in life to learn is how to handle the winters.
g) Winter time allows you to get stronger, wiser, and better.
The winters won’t change, but you can.
In Part Two of our series we discussed:
a) Spring is the season for entering the fertile fields of life with seed, knowledge, commitment, and a determined effort.
b) It is the promise of spring that as we sow, so shall we also reap, that for every disciplined human effort, we will receive a multiple reward.
c) There are just a handful of springs that have been handed to each of us. Don’t just let the seasons pass by.
This week we will talk about the third major lesson in life to learn; how to nourish and protect your crops all summer.
Sure enough, as soon as you’ve planted, the busy bugs and noxious weeds are out to take things over.
Here is the next bit of truth: they will take it unless you prevent it.
There are two key phrases to consider with the third major lesson.
The first is “all good will be attacked.”
Don’t press me for a reason.
I was not in on some of the early decisions, so I don’t know why.
I just know that it’s true.
Let reality be your best beginning.
Every garden will be invaded.
The second phrase is “All values must be defended.”
Social values, political values, friendship values, business values – all must be defended.
Every garden must be tended all summer.
If you don’t develop this skill, you’ll never wind up with anything of value.
But for those who make diligent efforts to plant, protect, and preserve there are not enough birds, bugs, or other obstacles to destroy all the efforts of last spring.
Now we will talk about fall (autumn), the time of harvesting the fruits of our springtime labour.
Fall also presents us with our fourth major lesson to learn in life, and that is to learn how to reap in the fall without apology if you have done well and without complaint, if you have not.
For nothing is more exciting than a bounteous crop, and nothing more dreadful than a barren field in the fall.
We must remember that in all areas of human existence, what we put into this world, we get back from it.
It is nature’s way of evening the score.
So regardless of the results, take full responsibility for your crop.
One of the highest forms of human maturity is accepting full responsibility for our lives.
Which brings me back to the beginning of our discussion in week one.
We must remember that life is constantly recycling itself.
Much of life is about the balancing of two opposites; like the positive and negative charge on a battery.
Life’s balancing of opposites totally surrounds our lives; man/woman, day/night, good/evil, life/death, water/land, summer/winter, recession/expansion, joy/sorrow, etc.
Yes, I believe we will have major changes, but I also believe we will continue to have just one winter, spring, summer and fall each year.
Much of our success will lie in our ability and philosophy to plant in the springtime of opportunity.
To weed and cultivate in the testing time of summer, to harvest without apology and/or complaint in the results time of fall and to get stronger, wiser, and better in the transition and learning times of winter.
Remember it is not what happens to you that determines your future, it is what you do about it.
So here’s to a great, faith-filled and prosperous year.
