Honouring the Seasons of Our Lives

Learning to embrace change, growth, and the beauty of becoming at any age.

Autumn in Nova Scotia is beautiful: I start to think about how the seasons change. The leaves turn red, orange, and gold. Gardens are prepared for winter, and cool mornings signal that a new season is beginning.

Yesterday, while reading Melody Beattie's Journey to the Heart, I found a reflection called "Honour the Seasons of Your Soul." It spoke to me about where I am today.

Just as nature moves through its seasons, so do we.

Some seasons bring change and discovery. Others bring joy and celebration. Other times bring uncertainty, loss, and healing. Some changes come quietly, while others change our lives in ways we never expected.

Yet every season becomes part of who we are.

Living with stage IV breast cancer has taught me a lot about how life changes. Sometimes, life felt predictable. Other times, a scan, a new treatment, or an unexpected challenge changed everything.

I’ve learned that accepting things doesn’t mean giving up. It means seeing where I am now and staying open to what might come next.

And life continues to offer so much.

Spending time with family and friends, enjoying being a grandmother, teaching yoga, travelling, writing, and sharing my story all bring me joy. These moments show me that even in hard times, we can still grow, find purpose, and feel happy.

We often resist change because we like what is familiar. But nature shows us that nothing stays the same. Trees let go of their leaves, gardens rest under the snow, and spring always brings new life.

Perhaps we can offer ourselves that same understanding.

Sometimes we need to grow, sometimes to rest, sometimes to let go, and sometimes to start over. We don’t have to hurry through these changes or expect to be the same as we were before.

Every season deserves to be noticed, respected, and lived fully.

As I keep moving forward, I’m learning to value not just where I’ve been, but also who I’m becoming.

The seasons will keep changing, and so will I.

That’s part of what makes life beautiful.

Reflections and Actions

Take a quiet moment today and consider:

1. What season of life am I experiencing right now?

2. What has this season taught me about myself?

3. Is there something I need to release, accept, or embrace?

4. How can I honour where I am today rather than wishing I were somewhere else?

One last thought: We can’t control every season that comes, but we can choose how we take care of ourselves as we go through them.

Take one step forward. Every step counts.

Inspired by my October 30 daily reading, "Honour the Seasons of Your Soul," from Melody Beattie's Journey to the Heart.