The Last Days of Summer 2012

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer. – Albert Camus

Did you know the lyrics of this iconic Byrds song were adapted from the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible? It was part of their answer to critics that said their songs were music of the devil (more or less). You know what I mean. It was the 1960s…

I love the sentiment expressed. It’s what that time period had as its foundation. Peace and love. We need more of it today.

It’s particularly appropriate, not only for my current mood but also for the "sea change" that happens every time the calendar turns from August to September.

Where has the summer gone? It’s now September 1 and with it all the major summer activities and gatherings, save one (Labour Day in Canada on Monday), have passed. People’s thoughts are turn, turn, turning to the autumn season and all that it brings. Back to school, back to work, settling in for the inevitable winter.

To many people the change from summer brings melancholy and  sadness. That is a personal choice, not a forgone conclusion.

Beginnings, endings, highs, lows – it’s all one grand cycle. It’s been a year, so far, of spectacular ups and downs for us, and we’re not even two thirds through 2012. What other surprises will be in store? Who knows…

As the seasons, and circumstances, change it is important to understand they are cyclical. Don’t mourn the loss of what is past. Joy, happiness, opportunity will come again. As the sun rises every morning warm weather will come again and with it the cycle of birth, growth and, yes, ultimately, death. Only to start all over again.

It is up to us to choose how we respond to change. Do we run from it cowering? Or do we embrace it, and all its unknowns, and learn to flourish in circumstances in which we find ourselves. Happiness is within us, not external to us.

There’s an old saying: “there’s a silver lining in every cloud.” There are many who say if you look inside a cloud all you find is more cloud. To them I proffer perhaps you do, but if you look over that cloud the sun is shining.

As the seasons and our lives change it is up to us to find that silver lining and embrace it. The only constant is change. Once we accept that as a part of our human condition the happier we will be.

Welcome September and all you have to bring. (By the way, summer is actually 20 more days. Take that, fall!!)

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