A Season for Everything

 

"Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.” – Henry David Thoreau

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3: verses 1-9

It's been a bright, cold, dry day today, but ten years ago at this time our village was thick with snow (above). In past years it has quite often snowed before my birthday on November 25th. The season seems to change quickly from autumn to winter, and despite the bright, sunlit images above, winter can seem very dark and depressing at times. This year especially, it may seem longer and harder than ever for some, especially those living alone. 

How do we endure, and what words of comfort are there then? Thoreau advises us (above) - to live in the moment and accept what each season brings - the good and the bad. The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that in our lives there is a season for everything. These words seem particularly appropriate in this time of Covid. For some, there certainly will have been a 'time to weep', but I hope too 'a time to laugh.' Christmas may have to be 'a time to refrain from embracing', but there will come 'a time to embrace.' I know for many this is 'a time to mourn', but I hope that at some point you'll be able to roll back the carpet and make 'a time to dance'!

Writing prompt:

• What is your favourite season of the year and why?
• What season of your life are you living at the moment? 
• Look again at the words from Ecclesiastes. Choose a 'time' to write about, perhaps 'a time to be born' or 'a time to heal'. Describe what happened and how it made you feel.