Goodbye summer so swiftly has another season passed by. With its end will go sun-kissed tans and lazy afternoons, vacations galore and grilling poolside. While we gleefully (or begrudgingly) descend into a new season, we can’t help but continue on with the ever-moving flow of time. However, one thing I will be taking with me into this new season is a sentiment about change. Not change in the quick sudden snap of the fingers, flip of the page kind of change. But the slow, creeping kind, the ones that go unnoticed; such as when the temperature begins its shift down, that cool breeze that signals that autumn is indeed on its way.
But when do we notice that it is upon us? Not until the back to school chaos has settled and the pumpkin spice paraphernalia has already invaded every coffee shop and supermarket in sight. And what after that? Well, we can be sure that before the candy has been sorted from trick or treating or you’ve recovered fully from your turkey-induced Thanksgiving nap, that undoubtedly the world around us will be switching to winter stock as if time doesn’t move quickly enough already.
This same sentiment can be said about us as individuals; we expect that everything must come at once, instantaneously, and leave us equally gratified in haste. But how can we appreciate the journey to get from point A to point B if we are in such a rush to get there as quickly as possible? The answer, we simply cannot.
While there are many kinds of journeys, emotional journeys, for instance, the ones that tug at our hearts and while difficult, may lead us to brighter days. There are spiritual journeys in which by the end we hope to have gained more insight into both the universe and ourselves. There are of course, literal journeys. While these are some that we anticipate and plan to a T, they might not always quite go as we desired. In my experience, those tend to be the best kind.
While the end result may be valuable beyond compare it is the steps we take to reach our goals that hold the most importance. For in them are marked the struggles, the triumphs, our frustrations and our ability to overcome what may seem to be impossible. In my spiritual practices, it seems as if I have been walking this path for some time now. But each moment has led me to a greater opportunity. At times, my disappointments and shortfalls seemed like obstacles that I might not overcome. But one thing that I can say for sure is that even in the darkest moments there is always light.
Perseverance, humility and the ability to ask for help along your journey is essential. We must be able to lean on those around us to help push us to our next stage, as well as to be able to be the support network for others when they need to lean on us. We must be patient and clear in our intentions when setting out on our paths. Whether it is to lose weight or to gain a certification, it is a process. Don’t forget to enjoy it.
Being present in the moment is key; time will keep moving whether or not you are paying attention to the little things around you. This I guarantee but however, you are in control of your perception of the world around you. So often you hear from parents, “I blinked, and it was as if they just grew up in seconds.” Time stops for no one. We ought not to stray away from our goals but do not forget to stop and smell the roses too.
