You must have heard of the saying that goes, “The only thing that is constant is change”.

I find this aphorism to be quite intriguing, particularly for its paradoxical connotation. If the only thing that is constant is the very thing that alters constancy, then nothing is, in fact, constant. Interesting much, innit?

Change is inevitable. And depending on the prevailing circumstances in every given instance, the impermanence of things can either be good news or otherwise. It is relieving to know that every negative situation can be transformed into something positive. On the other hand, the awareness that good times also don’t last forever is humbling.

Times And Seasons

Over time, I have learned that life is simply a series of seasons and a collection of cycles. This notion is not arbitrary, and it is adequately expounded in the Holy Book.

The third chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes opens with the statement, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”. The writer goes further to describe contrasting positive and negative life occurrences in the subsequent verses.

The illustration in that portion of scripture communicates the cyclic nature of seasons in our life. Every season we experience in life, be it good or bad, is time-bound.

Going through a rough patch? Good news, it has an expiry date… Having a swell time in life? Don’t get too comfortable, it doesn’t last forever. As much as we would love some seasons to never go away, the law of change demands that we experience the highs and lows.

The Cycle Is Endless

Within the week, a friend of mine reminded me of some thoughts I shared about a year ago which I had totally forgotten about (I should probably do better in documenting those random thoughts). Apparently, she took a screenshot of the post I made on my WhatsApp status, and it resurfaced one year later.

I’ll just go ahead and quote it as I believe it is still as valid as it was when I first shared it.

“There is a good chance that the things that troubled you a year ago, you have long forgotten, and it is highly probable that the things you’re fretting over today will be insignificant a year from now, well replaced by a new set of worries… The cycle is endless, and so should be your PEACE!”

Many a time, when we are plagued with undesirable circumstances, there is a tendency to slide into panic mode. The most natural reaction to life’s many problems is to become anxious and lose our peace. However, it’s not news that that approach does more harm than good.

Guard Your Peace

I read somewhere that “anxiety’s like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you very far”, and I couldn’t agree more. Worrying unnecessarily over anything only leaves you more stressed, but does little to nothing to address the matter at hand.

Instead of subjecting yourself to the self-sabotaging menace of anxiety, focus more on guarding your peace. Channel your energy into seeking pragmatic solutions to the issue on ground, and when you are convinced that you have done all that is in your power, let your soul find rest. In due time, a new season will emerge.

The fourth verse of Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that there is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Ecclesiastes 3:4 KJV). So while you await your season of laughter and dancing, try not to add anxiety to your list of problems. Always remember that no matter how long the night lasts, the sun will surely rise again.

In the words of  John Kornfield, “Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well.”