I remember when snow was on the ground. It was cold and frigid and uncomfortable. I knew Spring was coming but at that moment, it felt very far away. During winter, it feels dark and dreary and the days seem so long. We go to bed in the dark and drive to school and work in the dark. I have to admit, even though I live in Ohio, I am not a winter person. In general, I just don’t like being cold so I have a hard time preparing myself for the winter months. I manage and before I know it, Spring had sprung. The sun is shining, flowers are blooming and everyone seems to be in a better mood. Expectations are high. Finally, the new season is here. No more cold days and long nights!!

This is Life. Life is all about seasons. Cold and Hot, high and low, good and bad. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says it like this: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

This is good news for us. It means that whatever we are going through, whatever we are facing, IT WILL ONLY LAST A SEASON!! Soon, just like Spring turns into Summer and Summer turns into Fall, we will get another opportunity to get it right, to start fresh or just begin something we have never tried before. We get a clean slate and everything that happened in the last season is Over!!
But change can be difficult. It can be challenging. Sometimes it is easier said than done. But a change, a different perspective, a new way of doing something is necessary if we are to get to the next phase of our life.

How do successful people navigate change? How do they embrace each season with great expectancy and excitement?

I talk to women all the time who are successful in ministry, business and family. I have come to realize they all have 5 things in common. These 5 traits help guide them through the various seasons of life:

1. They remain committed to their WHY.
Successful people, regardless of their vocation, know their purpose. They don’t wake up every day wondering about it. They know it. When the terrain of life hits them, they understand that it doesn’t change who they are or what they are called to do. To be victorious during any season, you must stay focused…On Purpose.

2. They make adjustments to their HOW
People who realize their dreams are open to the various possibilities of a dream realized. They are not dogmatic on accomplishing a goal just one way. They allow themselves the opportunity to explore other avenues and methods to achieve the same goal.

3. They prepare for the new season
When I smell freshly cut grass or see neighbors riding their bikes outside, I know it is time to begin putting up the sweaters and heavy coats and unpack the lighter clothes and jackets. I would never dream of wearing a coat in 100-degree weather. The same is true for us. When we sense a change is coming, we must make the necessary changes so that we are prepared. Change is coming whether we are prepared or not!

4. They don’t run from adversity
Successful women I know face their challenges immediately. They understand they are both mom, wife, mother, daughter, leader, employee etc. They understand that a change in one area is a change in every area. They embrace the new season and acknowledge how it affects every aspect of who they are. They don’t hide their head in the sand, hoping the storm will pass. They deal with challenges head on.

5. They enjoy each stage of life
It is difficult to not rush life. We all want to get the bad stuff over and done so we can get to the good. If we are to successfully navigate the various seasons of life, we have to master the skill of enjoying life during each stage. Each season, each challenge, each opportunity has a lesson to learn. If we are too quick to move beyond it, we may risk not learning valuable lessons. These lessons will undoubtedly be needed for the seasons that will be coming in our future.

As you approach each new season of your life, please remember, you have everything you need to endure. God sees and God cares.

It is a new season. It is a new day. Embrace it and see what God has in store for you

In His Service,

Kim
Live On Purpose