Seasons of Change

I just came in from a brief walk outside, and while I was enjoying the beauty of a crisp Denver afternoon, I noticed something very peculiar. Mixed in with the earthy scent of the colored leaves crunching beneath my feet was a subtle sense of serenity. Feeling the late Autumn wind on my face, it was clear that nature has peacefully begun to prepare for a fast approaching winter season...a change. However, as I began to think of this change of seasons I discovered a bitter irony between how nature accepts change and how we as individuals accept it.

Peacefulness. Tranquility. Beauty. These are all terms that come to mind when I think of the passing of Autumn into Winter. However, the meaning of change in my own life often conjurs up very different emotions and descriptions. Painful anticipation, unwelcomed sacrifice and hardship are distinct emotions that I can identify when dealing with personal, professional and social change. But why?

I believe that we as individuals often forget that change is a very natural process. Every moment of every day, our bodies, our minds and our emotions are constantly changing. Although some changes do require sacrifice, there is almost always a promise of something beautiful at the end of the journey. As demonstrated with the change of seasons, we too move through seasons of change in our lives. Although some may be dismal and others may be vibrant, each offers a significant opportunity for beauty and self discovery.

As you face the day, begin to think of challenges and situations in your own life that may require some form of change. Will you embrace the opportunities that will arise from facing them, or will you disdainfully resist moving forward? At the end of the day....the choice is yours!