I woke up this morning with the intent of writing this blog on something completely different than what I’m about to write. Heads up, this is going to be a sappy post.
I put on shorts and a T-shirt today as I planned to stay in for most of the day to work and write my blog. But then, my dog alerted me with her gentle cold nose nudge, with that adorable face, that she needed to go out for a moment.
I am a sucker for that dog. For example, I know I’m not supposed to feed her from the couch when we’re watching TV in the evenings, but when she puts her head in between my leg and the couch armrest, I just cannot say no.
But I digress – back to taking my dog out for her business. I made my way out of my cozy home office and headed downstairs to the back door where she was already anxiously waiting. I stepped outside with her while she ran and chased a squirrel, barked at a leaf flying through the air and finally decided to do what she came out to do.
I had my coffee in hand, as I usually do. I like to enjoy just a moment’s peace while on my back patio to think about what’s next on my list of things to do, retrieve a good memory of my grandkids digging around the playhouse which occupies the far end of the yard or just enjoy the beautiful sunny morning. But all I could think about was I’m cold!
Something happened. Has Fall finally shown up in my area of the world? What in the world am I doing in shorts and a T-shirt. I must be crazy! If you ask my wife, she will say it’s not a matter of “must be,” but an “absolute” that I am crazy. 😊
The seasons have finally changed. It is just one way to be reminded that things don’t stay the same no matter how much we want or don’t want them to change.
As I was realizing my uncomfortable condition, my phone buzzed. I looked at some messages that I had received alerting me of a friend who is having some serious family issues. He had just suffered a profound loss and there was a lot going on in his life. As I scanned other messages, I noticed there had been some additional messages from other people in my life also facing important issues. Some were good and some were not quite as welcome.
And then I thought about something my father told me well over 30 years ago when I was in college and engaged to this wonderful girl who is now my wife. My father died over 10 years ago and his wisdom has echoed in my mind so many times.
One of his bits of wisdom to me was over coffee at our favorite restaurant when we were discussing my upcoming marriage. It was just him and me. He was telling me about the different seasons in life and how to welcome the expected and the unexpected. Without going into great detail, here is what he told me:
“Mijo (a tender and loving term used in some Hispanic households sometimes from fathers to sons), you will go through many seasons in life. You were a child totally dependent on others for survival. You then graduate high school and felt you knew everything and were ready to conquer the world. You are in college now and are realizing that you don’t know everything as you are preparing for your next step in life. Soon you will become a husband and you will understand what it means to be connected with another person. You will go to other weddings. Hopefully, you will have children and watch them go through their formative years. Unfortunately, you will attend funerals. You may even attend the awkwardness of your friends’ second marriages. You will have a job, experience job loss, experience success and experience failure in your occupation. You will watch your children grow up and have many of the same experiences that you had, only in different ways. You will watch them fall in love and get married. You may even be blessed to be a grandfather. You will see that process start over for them. There may come a point when you have to take care of me as I enter the final stages of my life. And then it will finally hit you that you’re just like that child you started out as totally dependent on others for survival. These are some of the seasons that you will have and need to embrace in life.”
He then went on to elaborate on each season and the gifts each season will bring. Needless to say, it was a really impactful coffee we shared that day.
As I contemplate the different seasons that I have encountered, my current season and the seasons that I am preparing for, I reflected on the messages that I received on my phone today and in the recent past. So many people are going through seasons. With every season comes a change that may or may not be difficult for some to manage.
I’m taking a moment now to reflect on my current season. There is a lot going on in my life. There are a lot of changes and I am choosing to do my best to embrace this season of life.
Some of these changes are very good and some of these changes are challenging. But if I’m completely honest with myself, each season is a gift, just like my dad said it would be. The gift for me is to grow, learn, reflect and embrace what each season has to offer. I really don’t have a choice because like it or not, different seasons are coming.
So, what does this have to do with running an online business? Well, I’m glad you asked!
It has everything to do with running my business but that’s not what this post is going to be about. Yes, I could go into a long rant on how businesses have their ups and downs and there are changes, there are challenges, there are opportunities and on and on and on.
I may choose to blog on that someday but not today.
Today I’m just going to be reminded of where I am in life. Today I’m going to choose to be confident that I can handle and manage changes as they come. Today I’m going to make myself available to those around me in my life who may need me even if it’s just a word or if it’s just the valuable gift of an ear in silence. Today I will appreciate what I have and those I love and make sure I tell those I love how I feel.
I wish the same for you. I wish for you that whatever season you are in you can find the value in that season regardless of what that season may throw at you.
Nope, this blog today isn’t really about business. This is just me being thankful for the season that I’m in, the seasons that I have experienced and the seasons yet to come.
My intent of this blog is to document my journey and this is part of it. This is just me hoping and wishing the best possible journey for those going through changes in their season right now.
Many of you reading this do not know me other than what you have seen in my blog posts. But I can confidently state that many of us are probably a lot alike. I wish the best for you in your current season!
Now, I’m off to go pet my dog, give her a treat and appreciate my season!
“We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” — Winston Churchill
“You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” — Rocky Balboa, Rocky Balboa
And of course, a few VERY BAD Dad jokes:
Why don’t seasons ever get in arguments? Because they know how to weather it out!
What did spring say after a tough winter? “I’m so tired, I might just leaf!”
Until next time, STAY FRESH, Friends!
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What a beautiful post! Your dad’s wisdom gave me chills—such a heartfelt reminder of how life is constantly changing and how every season, no matter how challenging, has something to teach us. It’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos and forget to pause and appreciate where we are right now.
Also, I totally get the dog thing! Mine has me wrapped around their paw too—those eyes are impossible to resist! Thanks for sharing this. It’s a lovely reminder to embrace the present, support others, and be grateful for the journey. Wishing you peace and joy in your current season!
Hi Sarah! I always appreciate seeing you on my blog and reading your comments. You are always so kind! Yes, sometimes it is good to take a step back and look at the season that we are in to not only appreciate where we are but where we have been. You and I share a mutual friend who’s going through some difficult times and that was what motivated me to make this post. It was also important for me to reflect on what my father taught me. I miss him dearly, but I do have his wisdom deeply engraved in my brain and in my heart. And yes, my dog has me wrapped! Have a wonderful week, my friend!
Hey, Ernie! I love this post! I am currently going through a grieving period that is not going as expected. It’s taking time. I find myself just sitting with my coffee, being still, and taking in nature for longer periods of time than normal. I sew, and I find myself sewing and thinking about my Grandma, and I’m sewing for longer periods of time than normal. Time passes by, and I’m not focused on my business. And I find that’s okay. I’m finding I must really need some quiet time at the moment. I’m not used to not feeling in control of my schedule, but I think I need to let that go and process whatever my mind and heart are going through. I thought I would pick things back up where I left off, but that seems to be something I’ll do in the future. I’m sure I’ll get there. This post brings me comfort. Seasons come and go, and they are each a special time that hold their own value. I’ll give myself permission to let this season pass on its own time. Thanks, Ernie!
Nikina, beautifully written. Grief has its own time.
Ernie, being there for people when they need us is no greater gift. As we get older, more will need us.
Pretty cool.
Hi Kate- I agree with you and how Nakina expressed her feelings in her comment. It was inspiring! And, your comment on being there for others is truly necessary in the form of time and sometimes resources. Thanks Kate!
Hi Nakina – My heart hurts for you and I am so sorry that you are going through this hard time. I’m glad that you were taking a step back to evaluate where you need to be but I’m equally glad to see you in the blogs as I know your mind still has this in the back burner. Finding that quiet time is so incredibly important as it gives you the opportunity to reflect, grieve and heal from your great loss. Sew away, my friend! This season will pass, but let it pass on your terms and which you are comfortable with doing. I am here! Reach out to me if you ever need anything even if it’s a phone call, a text, an email or even a cup of coffee. Have a wonderful week!
Ernie,
Your father was a wise man. We all go through seasons, and we grow from all of them.
Sherri
HI Sherri – Yes, my dad was a wise man. But his wisdom lives on in my memory as well as the action I take on what he taught me. I agree, we can grow from every single season that we are in whether it is challenging or maybe easier than other seasons. Have a great week!
Ernie, it makes a lot of sense to sometimes take some pause to reflect on the seasons. Thank you for your thoughts and experiences on the seasonal changes we encounter.
Hello, My Friend – I am so glad it’s to you contributing and commenting on my blog post. Reflection is important and becomes even more valuable when we take action on that reflection. Thank you for your visits and for your comments and I wish you a wonderful week!
Hi Ernie, this is a profound and yet relaxing post that I enjoyed to read once again. A lot of wisdom have been put forward in these words. Life is passing so fast along with seasons, that taking a pause to enjoy the moment is so beneficial and inspirational.
Thanks for your post.
Martin
HI Martin – I truly appreciate you taking the time to read and comment on my post. It was actually therapeutic for me to reflect on the different seasons that I have encountered, and I wanted to provide this personal note to all who may have read this blog post. I like how you state that “taking a pause to enjoy the moment is so beneficial and inspirational.” That alone is amazing and I appreciate your visit and comments! Have a great week!
Hi Ernie,
This post really made me think. It’s incredible how a simple moment with your dog led to such a deep reflection on life. Life is always changing, and while some seasons are challenging, others bring growth and new opportunities. I also really appreciated your reminder about being there for others, even if it’s just by listening. It’s a good nudge to appreciate where we are right now, no matter what’s happening. I’ll definitely take some time today to reflect on my own season and find things to be grateful for. Thanks for sharing such a meaningful message, Ernie!
Meredith
Hi Meredith – Thank you for your very nice and kind comments. Yes, a quick moment with my dog led me to have many reflections on my life in the past, where I am currently at and where I want to be. I look forward to future seasons and I look forward to how I can positively impact and embrace those seasons. I truly appreciate your visit and wish you continued success in your endeavors!
My Father father who passed about 10 years ago provided oodles of wisdom as well. I still wish I could call him on the phone sometimes. The love you had for your Father certainly shows through.
Hi Scott – Yes, the love I have for my father is intense. His loss was profound, but I live with the memory of what he taught me and how he lived. It sounds like you received a lot of wisdom from your father. Like you, I wish I could call him or go see him then hear his voice. I can as I remember and smile when I think of him. Thank you for your visit!
Ernie, what a beautifully reflective post! Your insights on the changing seasons of life resonate deeply. It’s so true that each season brings its own set of challenges and gifts, just as your father wisely shared. I appreciate how you’ve connected your personal journey with broader life lessons and the importance of being present for those around us. Embracing change can be tough, but your perspective encourages us to find value in each moment. Wishing you continued growth and joy in your current season! And give your dog a pet from me! 🐾😊
The Best Is Yet To Come! My Friend.
Hello my friend! Thank you for your kind words and for your visit to my blog. Yes, each season does bring its own set of challenges and blessings at the same time. We just have to look for them and find the good in those seasons. Each season gives us an opportunity for learning, right? The thing about change is that it can be tough, but it is inevitable. We can either embrace it or we can run from it. But either way it catches up to us. I only hope that I embrace the opportunity that change provides. And yes, I will give my dog a pat on the head from you! 🙂