ACCEPTING CHANGE
As a cool winter breeze blows softly,
the first warmth of the winter sun for the day warms me again. Birds
sing from trees near and far. Frogs sing in the sunshine as the creek
sparkles in the morning sun. From a nearby farm, a rooster crows. No
human sounds can be heard at all. It is bliss.
Although change is a part of life, I say thanks for small consistencies too. The songs of the birds may change. Some birds move on, some stay all year around. The frogs too change their song, as the seasons change and different frogs share their joy through voice. But in general, the beauty of this place remains. The changes themselves actually add to the consistency of beauty.
My father, already an elderly man, had a major surgical operation last week and I am reminded again of the impermanence of life, of the guarantee of change whether we like it or not. He is doing ok, hopefully coming through it, but he is old and will never be as he was.
It is not just the elderly that must face change though. At any age we are forced to face the natural ebb and flow of life. Nothing remains the same. I find that those who try to make it so, those who resist change by trying to control every outcome, are often those who suffer most when life throws change their way. Change is always in the air. Sometimes though, the signposts are just too obvious to ignore or resist.
I was over at my favourite beach the other day. Walking in the winter sunshine is a joy, with the days so welcoming by late morning. The pool that I have enjoyed numerous times through the last two summers was empty - the water too cold for even the bravest swimmers. I thought about the changing faces of beaches with the seasons rolling around each year. In six months time, the pool will have swimmers in it from sunrise to after sunset. But at this time of year, it is a smooth oasis, tempting with anticipation for the warmer months.
Nothing stays the same. The more we accept this, the more naturally life flows. As the sun sparkles on the winter dew, I now watch a large earthworm going about his day through the grass with glistening movement. He will be back underground soon. The birds will continue to sing, even if the songs and birds change. The Earth will keep turning and the seasons will keep changing.
Whether it is an official seasonal change or not though, there are seasons and cycles within our own lives too. We cannot hold onto one kind of season because we love it more, hoping to stop the other seasons from coming around.
There will always be change. And acceptance of this, whether on a personal, seasonal, or global level, definitely allows life to flow more naturally, bringing new seasons and joys, ones we could never have imagined. Like a swimming pool waiting to give joy to swimmers again in the warmer months, I open to the joys of change that are gently blowing my way. And of course, I wish the same for you in your world.
Although change is a part of life, I say thanks for small consistencies too. The songs of the birds may change. Some birds move on, some stay all year around. The frogs too change their song, as the seasons change and different frogs share their joy through voice. But in general, the beauty of this place remains. The changes themselves actually add to the consistency of beauty.
My father, already an elderly man, had a major surgical operation last week and I am reminded again of the impermanence of life, of the guarantee of change whether we like it or not. He is doing ok, hopefully coming through it, but he is old and will never be as he was.
It is not just the elderly that must face change though. At any age we are forced to face the natural ebb and flow of life. Nothing remains the same. I find that those who try to make it so, those who resist change by trying to control every outcome, are often those who suffer most when life throws change their way. Change is always in the air. Sometimes though, the signposts are just too obvious to ignore or resist.
I was over at my favourite beach the other day. Walking in the winter sunshine is a joy, with the days so welcoming by late morning. The pool that I have enjoyed numerous times through the last two summers was empty - the water too cold for even the bravest swimmers. I thought about the changing faces of beaches with the seasons rolling around each year. In six months time, the pool will have swimmers in it from sunrise to after sunset. But at this time of year, it is a smooth oasis, tempting with anticipation for the warmer months.
Nothing stays the same. The more we accept this, the more naturally life flows. As the sun sparkles on the winter dew, I now watch a large earthworm going about his day through the grass with glistening movement. He will be back underground soon. The birds will continue to sing, even if the songs and birds change. The Earth will keep turning and the seasons will keep changing.
Whether it is an official seasonal change or not though, there are seasons and cycles within our own lives too. We cannot hold onto one kind of season because we love it more, hoping to stop the other seasons from coming around.
There will always be change. And acceptance of this, whether on a personal, seasonal, or global level, definitely allows life to flow more naturally, bringing new seasons and joys, ones we could never have imagined. Like a swimming pool waiting to give joy to swimmers again in the warmer months, I open to the joys of change that are gently blowing my way. And of course, I wish the same for you in your world.
