In Like a Lion

March is the month we move into Daylight Savings time, spring is close and the days are getting longer.  The old proverb says, "In like a lion, out like a Lamb."  March is the month we begin again, a new season is being born,  new creations of the light.  Therefore, this month we are exploring the seasons of life.  

All life forms move through seasons.  The four seasons we experience on earth are symbols of what we experience in our lives.   Back in the 1960's, the Byrds sang a popular song called Turn, Turn, Turn. In those days, I had not studied the Bible or it's meanings, philosophy or deep thought.  I was just a kid, playing jacks, ogling Davy Jones and listening to the Beatles.  It wasn't until 30 years ago, when I started to read and try to understand what the prophets wrote, that I began to understand the true meaning of these prophetic words.  The song quoted from one of my favorite books and verses in the Old Testament and one I've quoted from frequently while writing this blog.  So to begin, let's examine the verses and then reflect.  

As quoted from the ASV version of the Bible:

Ecclestaies 3:1-8 - "For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which 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 chase away; a time to rend, 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 chapter and verses are life lessons for us all as we move through our seasons.  When I was young and impulsive, I had no idea how to keep my mouth shut.  If I had understood, there is a time to keep silence, I would probably not have gotten myself in so much trouble with my parents, my friends or coworkers.  I probably would have had a better marriage and longer lasting relationships.  Keeping silent is a lesson learned but only until the season I'm moving through currently, do I fully understand the power of silence.  These days, instead of watching the news or some boring show on Netflix, I sit in silence, pray, meditate, read and reflect.  Meditation is cleansing for me.  I allow God to speak to me in meditation; while in prayer I speak to God.  I meditate in the morning after I journal, I mediate while on my daily walks and while driving my car. In those silent times, I listen to what God says to me and take heart.

I also read when the urge takes over.  I'm not the voracious reader I once was, as my tastes have changed.  These days I read more philosophy, spiritual tomes or history.   I'm reading a lovely book called You Are Here by Thich Nhat Hanh a Buddhist Monk.  His premise and one I whole heartedly subscribe to, is to live in the now.  The past is past and the future is not here yet.  I have learned over this last year how true this is.  I'm manifesting for the future, envisioning what it will look like, but I'm not stuck there.  Goals, dreams and aspirations are great but we must live in the moment and the moment is now.

The season of new beginnings, a time to plant, comes upon us in the spring time.  Seeds are planted for the fall harvest and new beginnings for yours truly as I begin to complete my first year in Idaho.  I have joined a Tuesday morning golfing group, weather permitting. Golfing has become a bit of a passion for me.  I took up golf two years ago as it was a bucket list check off item.  I found out I loved it and being out in the sunshine, fresh air and blue skies are all wonderful mood lifters.  However, if I could get my swing in better shape, I'd be doing great.  Putting... well lets just say that needs some work as well...

A time to heal is upon us all.  No matter what side of the aisle we are on, we must heal ourselves and our country.  Too much hate, division and animosity exists.  Stop and I mean STOP watching political hit shows and start thinking for yourself.  We have become mind numbed robots, walking blindly behind the leader of choice.  The time is now to understand right from wrong, fact from fiction and if it feels wrong it's WRONG!

The last season of new beginnings to discuss this month is a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.  Love is all we need isn't it?  Pure love is God.  Love keeps the world alive, thriving and our lives moving on.  Hate is darkness; evil and war are the result of hate.  How do we eliminate war and hate?  It's almost impossible frankly but it is possible to shine our beacon of love and light daily.  One little ray of love is like a tiny ripple a rock makes when it's tossed in a pond.  That ripple reaches out beyond us into humanity as a whole and the Universe.  Now is the time to make the decision as to who we want to become, the ripple of hate or the ripple of love.  I chose love for this next season, the season of new beginnings.  

Therefore my friends, let's end this month's dialogue on a note of love and peace from 1 Corinthians 13:13,  "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love."