Four Seasons

When you live in a place with four distinct seasons, the whole year is basically a lesson in patience and gratitude.

A month ago, I went running in shorts and a tank top. I feel like I didn’t stop sweating for hours. This morning, I wore two long sleeve shirts and a running jacket.

Last week was the first morning I was startled by it. I was walking to the park to meet friends to go running and I had not comprehended the numbers on my weather app. My first thought was how it was cold. My second thought was that I’d asked for this.

I was begging, at summer’s peak, for the cooler temperatures. “I don’t do well in the heat.”

And as I walked I thought about how it was nice that it was chilly but at some point it was going to be winter cold. More layers cold. Hat and scarf and plastic gloves under fabric gloves cold. And when I hit those days where my hamper overflows with the extra layers, I find myself thinking of summer…

Thinking of summer and wishing for the endless heat. The way the days laze by and sunlight reigns eternal. Wishing for my most breathable outfits and the days when dressing for a workout wasn’t an Olympic sport.

But then in summer… well won’t I wish for fall?

When you live in a place with four distinct seasons, the whole year is basically a lesson in being humbled by getting what you asked for.

And isn’t that always it?

Landing the dream job and then being stressed by the workload. Getting your first apartment and then being surprised by all its quirks. Being gifted an opportunity and then realizing that means you need to work really, really hard.

But it’s kind of fun to work hard at things we love. It’s kind of exciting to be learning something new each day. It’s kind of beautiful to have the chance to pursue something that brings you purpose.

Since last week, I have found myself thinking wistfully of seasons (weather and otherwise) that are not the one I’m in. And what good does that do? I’m getting what I worked for. I’m doing things I’ve dreamed of. I’m being humbled by what I wanted.

It’s a gift to live into each season.

It’s a gift to be humbled by our dreams.

We honor that by living it.