Cultivating Sanctuary

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082 | Changing Seasons

A change of seasons is upon us in my corner of the world as spring is marching steadily toward summer. ⁣

⁣It’s not just the weather that marks a change of seasons. For us, the school year is coming to a close and with it a change in routine. As more and more people are vaccinated, our social life is coming alive again. Personally, it is refreshing to leave behind a long season marked by burnout and over recent months be moving into a new season of creative energy.⁣

⁣We all experience seasons in our lives and a transition time when we are conscious of one season morphing into the next. Sometimes we experience this collectively. Sometimes we experience seasons because of the unique circumstances of our lives. A season might be defined by:⁣

  • A more or less intense volume of activities with kids or work;⁣

  • A milestone event like a child’s graduation or getting a driver’s license;⁣

  • Increased demands because of extraordinary circumstances that life throws your way—like an injury or accident or job loss;⁣

  • A significant illness or health crisis for you or a loved one or caring for aging parents;⁣

  • Grief;⁣

  • Any change that disrupts the pattern of your life for a longer period of time.⁣

When a season is changing is a great time to reflect and set our intentions for the new season. Here are some questions to guide that process:⁣

⁣💫 Looking Back at the Season You’re Leaving⁣

  • What are some of the gifts of this season?⁣

  • What was hard or challenging about this season?⁣

  • What will I miss about this season?⁣

  • What am I happy to say goodbye to from this season?⁣

  • What do I want to carry forward into this next season?⁣

💫 Looking Ahead to the New Season⁣

  • What gifts can I imagine in this new season?⁣

  • What do I want to make space for in this season?⁣

  • What do I want to release in this new season?⁣

  • What challenges or difficulties do I anticipate?⁣

  • What systems or practices would support me during this season?⁣

  • What will I do to carve out space for rest and renewal in this season?⁣

  • What is my prayer or blessing for this new season?⁣

What change of seasons are you currently experiencing or anticipating in the coming months?⁣