One constant in nature’s seasons is change, at least in the area where I live. Photo credit: Unsplash

As I walked along the river with my dog, Jeremiah, I noticed the changing leaves of many cottonwood trees. Green, yellow, gold – varying shades of color dotted the walkway and the shrubs near the riverbanks. Autumn loomed. Change was on the horizon.

The Greek philosopher Heraclitus is noted for saying, “Change is the only constant in life.” How true those words! The past 18 months have been flooded with change, from mask-wearing to job loss, shuttered businesses to major natural disasters. But change doesn’t have to always be negative. Attending college, workshops, webinars, and classes increase our knowledge and abilities. Dating can lead to true love and marriage. Starting a business provides thrill and satisfaction as well as independence and employment for others, which in turn, benefits communities and economies. Even small, seemingly mundane changes, such as buying a home, taking a vacation, adopting a pet, can bring joy to the one making that change.

Jeremiah enjoys walking in the woods and around the neighborhood, no matter what season of the year it is. Photo credit: G Irwin

Just as seasons change, from summer to autumn, fall to winter, snow-laden months to a warmer, flower-bearing season, and from spring to summer again, we also have our seasons, and each one helps us grow. Change helps us grow.

I’ve experienced sorrow and loss recently, and I know more lies ahead. One cannot be an ostrich with its head in the sand – as older age comes upon the body, changes will take place, not only in our bodies, but in those of family and friends. Loss and sorrow are inevitable, but they seem to come more quickly as a person gets older. Sadly, sometimes the loss is not just our older family members, but also our friends, people our age and even younger. We need to grieve but not get stuck.

Change happens – embrace it. Photo credit: GIrwin

Some change we can anticipate. For example, I’m planning for my retirement from the ‘day-job’ in about 18 months as I look to make writing my full-time occupation. I have new books in the works for 2022 and I’ve lined up additional magazines in which to submit articles. I’ve paid off my car and am on track to complete other debts before next fall. I’ve also signed up for classes and workshops in order to learn more about operating a small business. Even though anything can happen in 18 months, I’m on track to fulfill my goal — an anticipated (and joyful!) change.

Just as autumn brings cooler temperatures and winter leads to snow, so will those seasons pass, and the warmth of spring and the joy of summer sunshine will again come around. Sorrow will give way to acceptance and one day joy will be experienced again. But, just as time is needed for leaves to turn golden in autumn and for flowers to appear from dormancy in spring, our life-seasons also need time.

Embrace change – grow through the season you are in and those you will face in the future. Each season has a beauty of its own.

Photo Credit: Pixabay.comPet Principle

Four elderly animals live in my house (the youngest turns 8 in a few weeks). Our pets change as they age, from playful, sometimes annoying, kittens and puppies to frustrating teen antics and then more mature adults to the slower, oftentimes health-challenging elder. We as pet parents need to be prepared for each season and the changes that come with those seasons in our pets’ lives.

Two good resources for caring for pets at their various life stages are Petfinder and the ASPCA.

Petfinder not only helps people find a perfect pet to adopt (that’s how I discovered Jeremiah), but also provides resources on animal care, from dogs and cats to rabbits and birds. Check out their helpful information here:

https://www.petfinder.com/pet-care/

The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is another great go-to resource. Besides pet care information, the ASPCA offers advice on cutting the cost of pet health care and being prepared for an emergency. Find their helpful articles and guides here:

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care

Speaking of guides, if you or someone you know has a dog that is blind or is going blind due to cataracts, diabetes, or a genetic disease like Progressive Retinal Atrophy, I offer a Kindle book based on my own experiences living with a blind dog. At only $1.99, this helpful guide provides tips and shares stories about helping your pet (and yourself) adjust to the change, going from sighted to blind.

Download a copy of Help! My Dog is Going Blind – Now What Do I Do? here: https://bit.ly/3l6DNju_BlindDogGuide