The Seasons of Emotions

I read a book a few years ago about the 4 seasons of a marriage. It talked about how we go through the seasons over and over, though not always in the same order. Summers are a time of bliss, cohesion, and togetherness. Autumn is the oncoming of frustrations and challenges. Winter may be the midst of struggles and resentment, but with work and prayer you can again move into the Spring of rebuilding the relationship and transforming again into the Summer of it all. After 14 years of marriage I am able to look back and clearly see when we were in which season and how we came through the "Winters" to find ourselves once again in the "Summers."

I think this notion of a constant change, cycle, ebb and flow is also true of ourselves.  There are times when we are motivated, driven, productive, and riding high in the Summer sun. Recently I have had to endure a long, dark, depressing Winter of internal anger and frustration. Loneliness was felt constantly.  However, I feel like I am turning a new leaf. My buds are again starting to sprout and I can see the end of this cold season cycle. The more positive I get about the oncoming Spring, and eventually Summer, of my emotional state the faster it seems to be arriving.

It's healthy for the earth to give in to the cold and, on the surface, die from time to time. We can see this not as the end as long as the roots underneath are still there thriving to come up and bloom in all their glory and give the fruits of their labor again. So is true for each of us.

When we get to the end of our rope and feel like all we have to offer is withered and cold it's important to remember the cycle of the seasons. Don't forget that deep down there is still the strong roots that started from the smallest seed of ambition and, if you let it, it will return and bloom again.