Living a Better Life
(featured column... from the editor's desk)

The Changing Seasons - An Inspirational Message

by Michelle Jones 

Having been born and raised in the wonderful “Sunshine State” of Florida, I did not have the opportunity to experience the incredible beauty of the changing seasons as a child.  Even when we took a vacation it was usually to the white sandy beaches of the Gulf coast in either Clearwater or St. Petersburg, about an hour’s drive from our home in Tampa.  Of course, the beaches were always beautiful and we loved living in Florida, but I eagerly wanted to know what life was like for people who lived in other places.  I remember wanting to see snow so badly, that I openly wished to move to North Dakota for several years.  More...

Although we did not move to North Dakota, at the age of fifteen, my mother and I did finally move a little further north to Atlanta, Georgia.  I believe it was the first week of November when we arrived in Atlanta, and we were delighted to see our first real fall, and soon after that, our first real winter—complete with REAL SNOW!

Now that was more than twenty-five years ago and since then my husband and I have lived all over the southeast.  We’ve experienced many changing seasons, including more than a foot of unexpected snow on Easter (in 1991 while living in Kentucky), the most beautiful fall colors I’ve ever seen in my life (in 1995 and 1996 while living in Tennessee), hurricane force winds and rain (in 1997 and 1998 while living in Mobile, Alabama), the most gorgeous blue sky and mountain snow (1999-2003 while living in SW Virginia), and more beautiful fall colors and more winter ICE than I’ve ever seen in my life (2003-present, living in the beautiful state of North Carolina).  These seasonal changes may seem normal to a lot of people, but for this native Floridian, they obviously make quite an impression.

Looking back on all the seasonal changes we’ve experienced over the years (and all the job transfers!), it would seem that we should be quite accustomed to life’s changes by now.  And I guess, in many ways, we are.  

Here are some things the changing seasons have taught us about life…

* Nothing ever stays the same.

* Whether we are prepared or not, the changing season will come.

* Whether we are prepared or not, the changing season will go.

* Every season brings with it some form of sadness and joy.

* Every season brings with it a lesson to learn, if not many.

* We may make new friends when the changing season comes.

* We may lose friends when the changing season goes.

* Seasons seem to come upon us really fast, sometimes even instantly, without any warning.

* Yet, strangely, seasons often seem to stay a bit too long.

* This is where Faith perseveres, for God always has a purpose. 

 

To be aware of the seasons changing… is to live.

To enjoy and appreciate them… is to live well.

 

Whatever season you’re experiencing in your own life right now (financial or otherwise), may you find peace in the rain and joy in the sunshine, and may you be blessed to see many more.

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Copyright © 2005 by Michelle Jones, author of Dealing with Debt and Frugal Family Recipes. All rights reserved.

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