A Reason, Season, or a Lifetime

“People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.”

I think most of us have heard that poem before. It’s a very touching and pointed piece which speaks of the heart of life. We all have experienced this with others or perhaps we have been one of these for another. Probably both, especially if we are actively engaged in living our lives.

How does this pertain to our jou
eys of personal awareness and growth? Understanding may assist us in moving forward without fear of losing someone we have met along the way.

A Reasonr
We all travel along life jou
eys at our own pace. There are many life lessons to be experienced as you grow. Someone comes into your life for the reason of meeting a need you have expressed. That person guides you in getting through that challenge. Once that challenge has been met, they move on, sending you on your way again. Understanding this and letting go is key to your continued growth.

A Seasonr
Then there are those who are more involved in your life. They are there for a season. You learn, grow, share and experience a whole new way of looking at life. The laughter and peace you experience is exhilarating! Enjoy your time with them, for it is real…but only for a season. Because there comes a time when this too will change. Accept this and move forward, using these experiences to further your growth on your journey.

In your journey, you meet many wonderful people. Many times, you share parallel jou
eys by share similar interests. Remember too, that even though you may start at the same level, one may excel exponentially and surpass the other.

Sometimes there are junctures in your path where choices are to be made. If your growth is taking you along a path of acceleration where another’s is not, decisions are imminent. This may lead to feelings of jealousy, hurt or misunderstandings stemming from the perception that both should be at the same level all the time.

One way to look at this is to think of your journey as the life of a butterfly. You begin as a caterpillar, with limited perspectives of what the world holds. As you grow, you go through a time of wrapping yourself in a cocoon of learning.

When you are ready, you break out of that cocoon and discover that you have acquired wings (knowledge) to fly. You have become the butterfly who uses this knowledge to expand your vision and take action towards it. Others may still be caterpillars on the ground or in their cocoons. They may feel frustrations over your success and act out on these. The season or reason your paths crossed may be at an end.

This is the time to fortify your vision with the knowledge that each person must travel at their own pace, in their own time. The desire to achieve your vision is now the opportunity to look to those who have gone before you. Set your sights ahead towards what is possible.

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions.
Small people always do that, but the really great ones make
you feel that you, too, can become great." – Mark Twain

A Lifetimer
Then there are those who will be with you for a lifetime. Those are the ones who encourage your growth and celebrate your wins. Lifetime lessons are learned from these relationships. Put what you learn to use in all areas of your life.

Knowing which type of relationship you will have when you meet someone is not always feasible. The best advice I can give is to treat everyone as if they will be with you for a lifetime. If it turns out otherwise, accept and give thanks for the lessons learned and wish them well on their own jou
eys. You never know what twists and turns life will send you, so embrace the journey and all it holds!