Embrace the seasons of your life

By Jennifer Lobasso

Fall is upon us and it’s made me realize that we live in a fantastic area of the country. We’re lucky. We get to experience the full splendor of all four seasons.

It’s easy to find people who don’t like one season or another, but each has its own unique qualities that make it special.

Autumn is known for its changing colors, falling leaves, crisp air and pumpkins. I’ve always loved this season. Yes, school is back in session, which many kids don’t like, but it also means Friday night football games, corn mazes, Halloween and Thanksgiving!

For me the cooler temperatures of fall are a welcome change from those hot, humid days of summer. And, if you’re lucky enough to be able to travel, the fall offers less crowded conditions than those vacation-rich months of summer.

Winter is hands-down most peoples’ least favorite season due to the cold temperatures and icy conditions. Still, if you are a winter sports enthusiast, you finally get to ski, snowboard and go sledding.

Unlike in many areas of the country, our municipal authorities do a great job of clearing the roads when it snows, and that white stuff sure can make things pretty.

Who doesn’t enjoy the look of a fresh blanket of snow, especially one that sticks to every bough of the trees? And, if there’s enough snow, kids get an impromptu day off from school. I can still remember the excitement of anticipating a snow day from school and the thrill I got when I saw the school’s name come across the TV screen during the newscast.

There’s also just something right about it being cold at Christmas — and the prospect of a white Christmas — well, that’s magical.

As winter turns to spring, we welcome the resurgence of life that comes with it. The grass turning green again along with buds popping up on trees.

These are signs of longer daylight and warming temperatures. Our senses are reawakened by the sound of spring peepers and the smell of flowers, and soon we find ourselves getting out our fishing poles and tuning up our bikes. There is life again as the landscape changes from the transparency of winter’s death into the opaque hues of spring’s life.

For most people, even “spring cleaning” denotes new life. We breathe in more deeply and can feel the pulse of life beat harder.

Summer means many things to many people. Kids are thrilled that school is out and for many of them it’s time to get a job and earn some money. Families plan vacations and everyone just seems more active.

Yes, we can get some days that are pretty hot and humid, but, for the most part, the heat of our summers isn’t unbearable, and even on those hot days there are more than enough opportunities to cool off in a local pool or lake. Outdoor adventure seekers have more than enough opportunities in our area to stoke up on adrenaline

Between the miles of trails and waterways, the number of beautiful lakes and ponds, and numerous special events and races, there’s something for just about everyone.

For those seeking other forms of entertainment, our summers teem with carnivals, fairs and festivals of all varieties. If you are looking for something to do in the summer, you never have to look very far.

We may not like every season, and there may be things we don’t like about each one, but if we look the right way, I think we can agree there are positives to all of them. That’s why I feel lucky to live here, where I get to experience all four.

In some metaphysical way, it reminds me that I don’t always get things exactly the way I want them, but if I change my perspective there are great things right in front of me, unique things, that I can’t take advantage of all the time.

The seasons, like life, offer different opportunities, and I’m reminded that one of the most important skills a person can have is adaptability.

If we adapt to the seasons, we can get the most out of them … and if we adapt to the changing “seasons” of our lives, we can get the most out of whatever life throws our way.

Here’s wishing you a seasonal attitude and the best life you can possibly lead.