Turn, Turn, Turn

"To every thing, turn, turn, turn.

There is a season, turn, turn, turn.

And a time to every purpose under heaven.

A time to gain, a time to lose.

A time to rend, a time to sew.

A time for love, a time for hate.

A time for peace...I swear it's not too late."

Lyrics inspired by Ecclesiastes, sung by The Byrds

A time to gain, a time to lose. Really? Even where weight is concerned? Hmmm...interesting thought. Very interesting thought. One that I can't imagine the author had in mind, but one that I seem to be pondering nonetheless. Think about it. Our society is obsessed with 'before and after' photos. This obsession seems to suggest demand that we get our acts together, choose a solution to our given problem, achieve success and then never look back, shrink back or falter ever again. Though I understand the idea behind the 'before and after' and understand the need to get/stay motivated when facing challenges, I've decided that I'm only ever going to call photos "during" photos. 

For example...here I am during this stage of my life. And here I am (a few months/years later) during this other stage of my life. Because when you get right down to it...life is one gigantic "during"!! As long as we are alive, we're in the 'during' stage. The wold keeps turning, seasons come and go, and, if we're lucky, we get to live through the ups and downs that come with many voyages around the sun. And, for my purposes here today, many ups and downs where the ol' scale is concerned. As I get older, I'm learning that I don't want to look back at old photos that feature my rounder self, and discount that person. Or chalk her up to "the before" gal. That would literally place most of my children's growing up years in the "to be ashamed of" category. And that just doesn't work for me. I loved those years! And my children sure as heck loved the rounder me....so I'm learning to love that me too. Even though I might not have been good at the self-love and acceptance thing back in the day, I am determined to give myself that gift retroactively!

If you've visited here much, you know that I adore the 'in between' seasons. Those times when mother nature is gently leading us from one season to the next. Take the simple branch in the photo I'm sharing today. I see a dried flower ~ a flower that faded two seasons ago and somehow hung on during the winter ~ sharing a branch with the new growth of spring! I find great peace and comfort as I study this one simple branch. Before and after existing together. Showing us "during" ... and asking us to accept each stage, each turn of season. Asking us to find the beauty in this one day, this one in-between moment.

What about you? What helps you to endure the 'during'?
What gives you the courage to love and be kind to yourself through all of life's stages?

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