Honor the Season You Are In.
Seasons as we know them are defined by the type of weather climate we encounter. In South Africa, we are currently in autumn and ready to enter the winter season. The sunlight does fall; the difference is in its intensity. Summers can be exceedingly hot, with temperatures reaching 25 degrees Celsius in some regions of the country by 5 a.m., and winters become colder. I am sure you get the notion about the seasons of the year.
As humans, we go through several stages of life. According to Ecclesiastes 3:11, "God has chosen a good time for all things to happen," implying that God is not surprised by our current situation. You may be navigating young adulthood, midlife, or retirement; this is your God-given season, and you must embrace it. What I've learned is that every season has its challenges, but there's also a lot of beauty if you search for it.
You may be in your late teens, with some of your peers leaving for varsity and others unable to do so due to various difficulties, or you may be in your twenties, watching some of your friends marry, start businesses, develop thriving jobs, and achieve tremendous success. Or, like me, you are a young wife with little children, or perhaps your children are older and becoming less reliant on you. Whatever season you are in, remember not to compare yourself to others.
Whatever season you're in, you need to coordinate your goals and everyday activities to meet it. Even the assistance you require to achieve your goals varies depending on the stage of life you are in. An established business woman will need fewer meetings with a mentor than someone who is just starting out.
Three tips to help you honor your life season while pursuing your goals:
1. Embrace the present: Take time to appreciate where you are right now. Acknowledge the challenges and joys of your current season and find gratitude in the little moments.
2.Be Flexible: Understand that life can be unpredictable, and sometimes unexpected events or responsibilities may arise. Stay flexible and be willing to adjust your plans as needed.
3.Seek Support: Surround yourself with people who encourage and support you. Whether it's friends, family, or a mentor, having a supportive network can help you navigate the challenges of balancing life and pursuing your dreams.
There will also be things fighting for your attention so much that you can feel like your own dreams do not matter. When you do not get the right support or accountability partners, any season can feel like a drag. Caring for your elderly parents can feel like a burden if you feel you have to shut down your business in order to help them. You can set up a system where you help them on certain days so 3 out of 7 days you work on your business. It would be ideal if you could work 7 days a week, but right now 3 days is better than none.
The time you spend helping others does not mean you cease pushing for your own goals. You may not be able to fully commit to publishing two videos to YouTube every week, but that does not mean you have to abandon your dream of one day owning your own channel. Your marriage and ministry can coexist. Your job and business can coexist. Your family and educational aspirations can coexist. Allow yourself to build gently, and as life calms, you may pick up the pace.