A Reason, A Season or A Lifetime

The countdown to Christmas is upon us and we only have a few days of 2018 left. How can we make the remainder of this year more meaningful? What can we do to help us feel more connected to friends, family and loved ones? For those of us that do not have a significant other, how can we feel less lonely during this time of year?

You’ve heard the phrase “we meet people for a reason, a season or a lifetime”. I’m a firm believer in that concept as I’ve experienced some wonderful connections with people in all three of these areas.

Here is the poem it its entirety:

“When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind, but friendship is clairvoyant.” – Author Unknown

As you begin to get into the holiday spirit, I find it is helpful to reflect upon this concept as you encounter friends, family, acquaintances, colleagues and even strangers. We are given so many intangible gifts throughout the year however something about the magic of this time of year helps us pay attention to it more (or less, depending upon your perspective/attitude).

Think about this in relation to the people you cross paths with – is there a reason? If so, can you identify what the reason is? It may be something that you didn’t know at the time however you realized what the reason was later. Was it a lightbulb moment? Sometimes our intuition or gut will give us information to file for later access. Pay attention when these types of feelings happen as it has the potential to be a revelation. This can be a one-time interaction or a connection for any period of time.
Consider those you’ve been in relationships with for an amount of time. These people can be work colleagues, acquaintances, neighbors, friends and even family members. During the length of this relationship, can you identify what you’ve learned? What you have gained? What you have provided for the other person?

Keep in mind, this is not only about what you will learn or receive from the interaction. It is also about what the other person receives as well. I have found these types of relationships and interactions are not usually one-sided. There is something for both people to learn, gain, receive, give and, in keeping with the Law of Attraction, be a reflection of ourselves. (More on Law of Attraction next week).

In reflecting back to the relationships you have or no longer have, can you identify why you needed to have this particular relationship or person in your life? Take a few moments and recognize your thoughts, feelings and emotions. Journaling for me is very important and I will journal about the experience; what I am learning or learned, what I feel or felt, how I handled the ending of the relationship (if it ended), what is my contribution to the ongoing relationship, and how I receive from the relationship. This reflection time contributes to the gratitude I have and feel for the situation, the person and the relationship. For me, my gratitude is exponential this time of year as I reflect on all the laughter and tears, joy and pain, comfort and discomfort, accomplishments and challenges. Every single thing, person and interaction I experience has a lesson. It is the lesson that I look for in every reason, season and lifetime in every situation.

Have a comfortable Holiday Season!

© 2019 by Amy Jones - All Rights Reserved