Seasons of Change

Seasons of Change

by Linda Heron Wind, Ph.D.

As I was watching the leaves fall from the trees the other day, I began to reflect on the losses in my life so far this year. In early spring our old cat died and then in early summer, my best friend of 30 some years died. Now in early fall, our older dog just passed. Of course, we have also had new arrivals, like the unexpected foal born in April. There seems to be a lot of coming and going this year in my life, and, I suspect, in many peoples lives. Someone suggested that it might be a sign of my age, but I believe that it has a bit to do with the increase in the speed of time and the amazing transformational process that is taking place on Earth.

Earth has always been the place to be if one needs to learn more about letting go and non-attachment. Her seasons are full of movement and change - some things coming into physical form and some things leaving it.

Snow melts and evaporates only to fall again as rain and be carried to the ocean or taken in and transformed by a plant. One thing changes to another and then another in large and small cycles - spiral dances that wind their way through the elements, kingdoms, and species, through the seasons and years with no beginning and no end.

So even with such large losses this year, it is somehow comforting to feel this ancient rhythm moving in my life. It is also interesting that because the drumbeat is faster these days and change is accelerated, it is easier to see that there is a rhythm that directs all that would otherwise seem quite chaotic. Change is no longer something that occasionally disrupts our linear existence, it is a constant dance partner that we meet each morning.

Tsunamis and hurricanes, earthquakes and terrorists - these are also part of the spiral dance in this time of great change. Refusing to dance is not an option. We must learn to move with the river and bend in the wind, surf on the waves and explode with the volcanoes. Our bodies are Earth, so as long as we are here in physical form, we will rock and roll with her. Now more than ever is a time for us to spend time in nature and find a unity with her. Whatever we resist pulls us into conflict and chaos. When we can become one with the other, tranquility is the result.

I know these are flowery words that are easy to say when you are not in the midst of a hurricane, but change touches us all each day, no matter how small or large. Each unexpected event is something we can meet and say, "Shall we dance?" Great masters were able to do this and so shall we when all is said and done.

No ending, no beginning
No after, no before

I hold you so close to me
I release you to be so free

For I am within you
And you are in me

For I am within you
And you are in me

(author unknown)

If you have comments on these articles or ideas for future topics, call Linda Heron Wind at (585) 924-5620 or send e-mail to LHWind@aol.com.

Page last modified September 16, 2005 by RMC