500 Words a Week - Our Life Has Seasons

Undoubtedly, my favourite place in London is Hampstead Heath. A little (actually rather large) oasis amongst the city. A quiet alcove away from the constant waves of busyness that define the town. Except on a sunny Sunday or Bank Holiday Monday, then the Heath becomes flocked with picnickers escaping their tiny extortionately priced rooms and flats for some time in the open air and green space. These individuals are what one might refer to as the M&S picnickers. For the local M&S gets ravaged for canned cocktails, rolls, sliced meats and cheeses. Anything that can be eaten easily while lounging on the grass.

There are ponds to swim in, benches to sit on, and countless trails to wander down and explore. A place to disconnect from the world. And if you visit it regularly and pay attention to your surroundings, you begin to notice the seasons of life unfolding around you. Leaves lost and regrown. Birds migrated to avoid the colder months and returned for the warmer ones. Swimming ponds in the winter lacking swimmers, only to be overrun come the summer.

And just as the Heath goes through seasons, so do we. 

There are winters, times of low energy, low moods and heavy days. A time to choose survival, our chief task becomes getting through the day. To not stop believing in the new chapters we will create tomorrow. Then comes the summer months, bundles of energy and enthusiasm radiate from us. To which we must capitalize. These are the moments to run freely into the long days, to celebrate the fact that we endured, that we are still here. To chase our little dreams inside.

Just as different plants blossom at different times, so do people. Some blossom in their younger years, others take a little longer. Unfortunately, in the world we live in, we place all the attention and focus upon the early successes. The 20 year old billionaires. The college dropout turned founder. The Forbes 30 Under 30 list. These are the stories we are most often surrounded with. 

But life is long. And how sad a thought it is if we were to peak at 20, 25 or 30 with still yet so much life to live.

While these youthful success stories can at times inspire us, we must also look to the older success stories. These success stories are much quieter, they rarely make the headlines, but often encapsulate a life well lived. 

The 75 year olds still holding hands. The 80 year olds still learning and asking questions. The 85 year olds still walking, still moving, still finding a reason to laugh.

Our life has seasons. And the best may still be ahead.