The title of this post comes from the Bible, in the book of Ecclesiastes, starting in chapter three. The 60's band "The Byrds", created a hit song called "Turn, Turn, Turn" which touched upon this chapter. The chapter explains to us that there is a time for everything, a season for everything. It tells us that there is a time to laugh, and a time to cry. A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to keep, and a time to discard, and many other given examples.
My reflection upon this past year, and this season takes me back even further to the fall of 2020. That is when I started experiencing what I labeled "historical recall". They involved thoughts and images from my past. Things and decisions that I had already thought about over the past decades, including childhood. Things that I felt I thought about and processed to great lengths. Scenes and images and feelings that now came once again.
I shared some of my thoughts regarding this new journey of mine with a mentor. He said that I was fortunate to experience this period of growth. It was and still is fascinating to me sometimes. The depth of understanding is greater than ever before in my life. Ever. The clarity has been moving emotionally on occasions. Sometimes just out of the blue. I would be out in nature with my dog Ronin, or simply watching T.V. and a thought or a scene enters. Just light bulb moments shining bright. Things and questions that I have thought about many times over the years of my life are now suddenly so clear to me. And some things in which I had not a question. Numerous times. Feelings of joy, peace, comfort, sadness and sorrow have come and gone. I have wondered, why now?
It is my belief that God knows all things, and I am grateful. I am grateful for what I have, and for many things that I have had. Has there been pain? Yes, absolutely. And depending on the moment or thought , pain can and has revisited me. Usually simply for a moment. I am grateful. Grateful to know that this is just life, and with God's guidance and the lessons from other's that it's up to me as to how I view it, live it and enjoy it ! The Dalai Lama once said, " Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible " I remember talking to a former boxing champion about his fame and fortune and asking him how he handles it. He said to me, " I just have to remember to stay real". Prayer and meditation are such gifts.
My thoughts about this year take me back to last January, when I experienced both personal and professional transitions. Great new discoveries! Spring came and so did more new awakenings that were such gifts. Awakenings in which new thoughts, feelings and even greater hopes emerged. When we pay attention, we can see and know how and why new people enter our lives. And new experiences as well. These experiences shined through the summer.
This past fall brought all things, both victories and challenges. Sometimes we just don't see things coming, whatever it might be during that time, in that moment. I am grateful.
Here I am now in December. Here we are. It is now winter. A new chapter. There were many among us within this past year that were born, and many that have moved on to the next life. So living as we may, find joy living in this day ! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all !
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