Changing season!

Let me share a contrasting sights of the state of trees in a cultivated forest around a young institution, which is developing into an ecologically balanced environment. 

The above photos are of trees, who looked bare in the summer season, having shed the leaves, sprouting now with the leaves, after the early rains in summer. The branches have nests and birds frequently make these trees as the flight stations. Most of these trees are scattered in the 100 acre property, mostly on either sides of the roads. 

As against this, the  trees below are in another stage, in luxuriant growth of their foliage, with the mango trees looking ready to blossom. These trees are also scattered in the property, some of which are young trees, probably planted during the last 20 years when the institution was developing. 

 

I took time to engage this scene in my thoughts during the day. A garden is a place of variety and diversity, with plants and trees living the seasons and being themselves. 

The symbolism this, brought some insights about the different seasons in human lives. 

There are times when one might feel dry, depleted and drained. There are other times when we full, fulfilled and forbearing. 

This journey, between the valleys and peeks of life is cyclical and not linear. 

I am about to complete one year in retirement from my professional work in June, 2024. I turn back to recall the events and experiences of the year gone by. There were valleys and peeks and the journey path was with hair pin blends and detour. 

I wondered when will the experience of living in the plane would become a reality!

I remember a senior psychologist having lived with his anchor in God  telling once, 'living in the plane is akin to being lukewarm. One ought to be cold or hot' !

Often our lives are stretched between valleys and peeks. The trees shed the leaves to have a new clothing of its foliage. As each tree experiences its loss, it also encounters its growth. It is through its loss of leaves in the due season, a tree  grows. 

It is therefore prudent to think of autumn, winter as prelude to the season of spring!

How comforting it is therefore to view valley experiences with such a profound purpose of growth and formation! 

In my readings in the recent months, 'desert', wilderness', 'solitude' and 'pilgrimage' appear, as experiences for inner formation. I come  across authors who interpret the above experiences as normal and essential for transitions in life. 

I realise that the journey of humanhood starts with infancy, childhood, teenage, young adult, midlife, senior citizen and becoming an elder. A senior citizen has a journey of transition to become an elder, whose calling is watching others grow and occupy roles and positions. It is one season in life, when one relinquishes some roles and profiles exercised thus far and watch others move into the centre stage of living and engaging. 

I felt comforted by these thoughts, because I was introduced to a new way of living in the coming season of life. 

I had an experience of this transition, when I was in a meeting recently. What was needed to be stated were well spoken about and I could take delight in the way people in mid life are engaging the situations responsibly and insightfully. It was an occasion to participate by cheering. 

A change in my role is before me as I engage the next season of my life!

To grow into being an elder, whose role is in the gallery, watching and cheering is a vocation worth pursuing!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)