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The Four Seasons of Change

by Lyndsay Blais, Penticton

Just like the creative process of Mother Nature, there are 4 seasons of change we go through as living beings when our comfortable, known environment changes.  It does not mean that we go through them in a specific order or in a given time frame, or even that our personal seasons of change will follow the seasons that Mother Nature has so brilliantly formulated, however we will go through this process as a result of the natural stress response to any type of change.
Each stage has its challenges as well as it's gifts and we can approach each stage in one of two ways, either from a place of resistance, or a place of acceptance.  As you read through these four seasons, see if you can determine which "season of change" you find yourself in right now...

~ Fall ~

In the season of fall, things that have been growing start to slow down, the transition of the old falling away to make room for what will be new again come Spring.  In resistance, it can be a time of sadness for the loss of summer, missing all the good times that have passed.  In acceptance, it can be a time of cleansing, goal setting and commitments.  It is also the time for harvest and thanksgiving for the abundance surrounding us.  There is peace in knowing that we can trust in the process of life and that we can plan ahead for each season to come once again.

~ Winter  ~

This season can appear dead and barren, when energy has simply changed state.  In resistance, this can be the most painful of times.  It can be a time of confusion and denial, where we just don't know what is going on or how long it will last.  This is usually the season when it is hard to understand the "Why" of everything ~ we are in the midst of change, and there is a sense of shock if the change has come suddenly and without warning.  Approaching the season of winter from acceptance, we allow ourselves to fully experience the change and the range of emotions that come with it.  In acceptance Winter can also be a time of regeneration and much needed rest. 

~  Spring  ~

The season of spring from a place of resistance, can be a dormant state, lethargic and unmotivated to do much of anything.  Nothing seems to be happening...we don't plant any seeds, creating purely by default.
In acceptance, this can be a time of renewal, energy, and hope, as we consciously plant the "creative seeds" of action and new growth.  Needing to be nurtured, this is a fresh, life giving, co-creative stage.

~  Summer  ~

Summer-time in resistance is a busy, busy time.  It can be filled with a sense of overwhelm, exhaustion, too much doing, not enough Be-ing.  This is the experience of too much, too fast.  In acceptance, we are enjoying the moment, soaking it all in.  It is rewarding to enjoy the fruits of our labour, and although we sense the "non" permanence of it all, we are able to live for the now, focused fully on enjoying the moment while it is here.
Given the choice of approaching your season of change from resistance or acceptance…what’s one thing you could do today to shift towards the feeling you’d rather create, no matter what season of change you are in?
Here’s to living life more consciously!

Carpe diem! ~ Seize the Day!
~ Lyndsay

Lyndsay Blais, creator and facilitator of the Embracing Change Program; Assisting Individuals through Career and Life Transitions.  Contact Lyndsay in Penticton, B.C. 250-809-5399; via email

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