The Beauty in Changing Seasons

Blooming Tulips taken on iPhone in Bristol, R.I.

Hello Spring!

Today marks the official start of Spring and also my mother’s birthday (Happy Birthday Mummy!) Any other year, this day would bring smiles to many faces because warm weather is finally upon us. But unfortunately this year, we won’t be able to enjoy the warm weather just yet —the Coronavirus ‘COVID-19’ pandemic has overshadowed the bright, sunny skies.

Despite the state, the world is in right now, the start of Spring brings its own form of beauty and encourages us all to see the beauty in change. We have mourned the death of Kobe Bryant and are currently in the midst of a worldwide pandemic in only twelve short weeks of 2020 showing us that life is indeed fragile; that things can change in the blink of an eye. We must make sure to not only cherish one another but every moment that we are blessed with.

This past week I began to think of the concept of seasons and the beauty that comes with each season. Spring is a time of newness and rebirth—the blooming of beautiful colors; Summer is a time for sun, fun, and pure joy; Fall is for crisp air, beautiful, fiery hues and fashion; and Winter means more time spent indoors and the beauty of the pure white powder that covers the lands. I can go on describing the beauty of each season, but as I’m describing I can’t help but chuckle to myself because when in these said seasons, we in our human nature find a reason to complain about the said beauty of the seasons: Spring is too rainy, and the blooming flowers and trees cause allergies, Summer is too hot, Fall has turned into Winter too fast, Winter is too cold, and the snow is messy.

Even in our complaining, we sometimes forget that nothing lasts forever; change is constant. The flowers will die in a few months, the trees will become bare again, and the snow will melt. But just as the seasons change and have their own beauty and challenges, so do the seasons of life. In life, we go through our own seasons of change and growth; seasons of stillness and the unknown. We go through challenges and hardships, but also experience great joys, new opportunities, and countless blessings. Each day can bring a new experience, a new challenge to conquer.

Even in the challenges, I know there’s beauty or there will be beauty if I choose to look for it. The challenges and trials will surely produce great lessons and blessings. Being able to see the beauty in changing seasons whether literally or figuratively depends on our perspective. We can choose to focus our attention on the challenges or find beauty in life’s seasons. Finding beauty in the changing seasons and the little moments can make any season of life remarkable in its own way.

So as Spring has sprung and we are practicing social distancing, let’s find the beauty in this change, at this time. Appreciate the sunlight, the rain, your health, the slow down, forced or not. Learn to love the seasons of life and everything it brings. To me, this time has given me more time to spend in the presence of God and to study His Word, more time to spend with family, more time to rest, more time to cross things off of my to-do list, and most especially more time to pour into my passions and purpose.

So this new season, I’m ready for you, I welcome you and your changes. I welcome all the beauty that will come with these changes.

Forever in Awe,

C. Yejide