“Oh! The places you’ll go! You’ll be on your way up! You’ll be seeing great sights! You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights.” *
Words like that should be printed in multiple colors and fancy fonts with lots of loops, right? Dr. Seuss certainly knew how to use phrases to invite and encourage us to move forward. He was writing prompts for entering the new year that are more stimulating than most memes! (As a side note, his frequent use of exclamation points is one of the reasons he’s a favorite of mine.)
And …
Some of us may find the message a few pages later more in synch with our reality …
“I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you. You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch.”
That’s one of my new favorite string of words. My head nods in agreement, my shoulders relax, and my heart whispers “Ahh. That’s how I feel.”
Steve and I are in a new season, and the prickle-ly perch is where I’m spending some time. Although it’s not a place I’m going to build a nest and call home, in this season, I’m resting here.
You may know that my sisters and I took care of our mom 24/7 for seven years. She died two Januarys ago. A month after that season ended, Steve’s mom came to live with us for a while, she eventually moved back to her apartment, and a new way of caregiving began. In the last six months or so, we’ve been JoAnn’s daily visitors and providers of all things. All of that has been a privilege. She passed away a few weeks ago.
It’s a new season.
In the first couple weeks of December, “floundering” best described what my mind was doing. Struggling, not sure what to do or say, feeling clumsy about all things. You’ve felt this, haven’t you? Now it feels more like wandering. Looking to see what might be next. Feeling my way around. Doodling and noodling. It’s getting easier to find my perch and rest. Read a book, write, and take naps.
And you know, this season feels right. Seasons change gradually, and I’ve given myself permission to be right where I am while finding my new rhythm.
If you have set your 2022 goals and you’re living out your plan, excited about what you want to create this year, way to go! I’ve had those January feelings and experiences, and they are filled with anticipation and expectation. Kick butt and go for it! This is your season to shift things into high gear. Have fun in your discovery and in your work!
And, if your season is one of wandering? Wondering what to do, what’s next, how to spend your time, what you want your priorities to look like? This is where you are, and it’s OK to be here. You don’t have to soar and be a high flier right now. Besides, wandering usually brings us to the place our hearts are looking for.
Life can be good because God is faithful. It doesn’t matter what season you’re in—He’s in it with you. There’s such hope and comfort in that, isn’t there?
Soaring or perching, this is your season. Be there.
You are loved. Always.
You have permission to be in the season you’re in.
P.S. Will you let me know if you’re perching? Maybe we can start a club, buy leather jackets with “I’m perching … for now!” stitched on the back, and create a secret handshake. At the very least, you and your waiting, wandering, resting, and perching will be in my prayers.
* “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss (Amazon link)
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