Seasons of Change

"There is a time for everything, 

and a season for every activity 

under the heavens:

a time to be born & a time to die, 

a time to plant & a time to uproot, 

a time to kill & a time to heal, 

a time to tear down & a time to build, 

a time to weep & a time to laugh, 

a time to mourn & a time to dance, 

a time to scatter stones & a time to gather them, 

a time to embrace & a time to turn away, 

a time to search & a time to give up, 

a time to keep & a time to throw away, 

a time to tear & a time to mend, 

a time to be silent & a time to speak, 

a time to love & a time to hate,  

a time for war & a time for peace."

Ecclesiastes 3 V 1-8

Mark Twain said, "The only two certainties in life are death and taxes."

I think we can add ‘change’ to that quote cos life is never smooth sailing. Also, if you live in the middle east then you don’t have to worry about the tax part!

Which is where I spent 10 months of my existence, living and learning and not worrying about tax.

Some days were harder than others but I kept telling myself that this is just for a time and a season. I was being prepared and shaped, going through the refining fire of life. Hard times tend to do that you. It breaks you down and builds you up stronger.

I remember having a discussion with my mate Theesan. We were talking about how everyone has a different capacity for “life’s troubles.” Like casts of fine wine, some of us may be small and young, and others are massive and well aged (experienced). Life has a way of stretching those casts out and thus allowing us to have a greater carrying capacity for the troubles that we have to endure.

Case in point. Take a prissy 18 year old who has more shoes and credit cards than hairs on her head vs one that’s the oldest sibling of 4 living without parents, working 2 jobs and growing up on what little sustenance she can provide for her siblings. When life’s struggles strike, who would you put your money on to get through it? Who would you trust to take YOU through it?

Exactly.

Going through life’s difficulties builds character.

It is important for a young professional to learn how to predict these changes and seasons and in doing so reduce the damage that comes with these storms.

During my time in Qatar I had the privilege of building up some finances with the idea in mind that I was gonna get back to South Africa without a job. So financially, I prepared to live comfortably for x amount of months. So after a great harvest’ I prepared for a possible ‘drought’.

After I did my time in the Middle East I landed in S.A and had the time of my life with my family and closest friends, which is still going on, seeing as how it’s the festive season now. Its all part of my networking I say!

“I don’t like that Duvane boy. Ever since he came back from ‘Dubai’ you going out every night and coming home late!” – Kavir’s granny.

Sorry Aunty, your grandson was rotten before I arrived! Except now, he uses me as his excuse!!! =D

Once again, in the opposite way I went from toil and strain in Qatar to absolute bliss in S.A. The season had changed! I know, however that even this time of tremendous gratification would also come to an end at some point!

If you’re fighting a few battles right now, have a renewed hope that the end will come. Change will happen.

If you’re reaping a tremendous harvest, then best you prepare for all possible storms.

Ever heard that saying, “I’m saving it for a rainy day.”? It's a statement of preparation and future planning. Apply it. Not just financially. Life strikes our relationships, loved ones, assets, emotions and every possible thing that can change. Nothing in life is ever certain.

Revel in the harvest but know and understand that change will happen. If you can come to terms with that, half your battle of overcoming it is already won.

Everything comes to an end.

The season of your life will also one day come to an end.

Prepare.