The Changing of the Seasons

Is it September already?

A tale of juxtapositions may be in order:

• In the Northern Hemisphere, the dawn of autumn typically begins in late September - temperatures drop, and leaves change and fall.

• In the Southern Hemisphere, September brings the beginning of spring. Temperatures rise, flowers bloom, and nature awakens after the winter.

• Meanwhile, for those of us in Asia, September is generally a transitional month. The weather can vary depending on the region, ranging from monsoon season in South East Asia to cooler temperatures in East Asia.

• At my previous company, the 1st of September marked the beginning of the new financial year, which meant bonuses in time for Christmas. 🤑 

   

• Yet others have remarked September as the perfect time to reflect, review, and plan ahead for the coming year.

There seems to be a certain consensus that September is the season for change.

Curiously though, while I was racking my head for this post, Spotify was playing Uriah Heep’s 1971 hit “July Morning” in the background.

And part of the lyrics went like this:

Rather surprisingly, the word resolution seemed to jump out.

That and being in September started another trip down the rabbit hole for this week’s post.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Scranton found that 23% of people quit their resolutions after just one week.

And only 19% of individuals are actually able to stick to their goals long-term (two years, in the case of the study).

Amy Cuddy, a social psychologist at Harvard Business School gave 4 reasons why New Year resolutions largely fail:

• unrealistic goals

• framed by negativity

• too focussed on the result, rather than the process, and

• reliant on outside forces

I think most of us can vouch for it.

But first, back to July Morning:

The lyrics portray the first day of July, symbolizing the beginning of summer and freedom, a sense of hope, optimism, and the desire for change.

The singer sang of his resolution to go looking for the love of his life.

Perhaps asking a few questions can help point us in a similar direction:

1. The most important question.

 What am I looking for?

If we can answer this question in all truth and honesty, then I believe our resolutions can become real, and attainable because they are more focused on the process and are deeply personal.

2. The song tells the story of a man who has gone through a storm with a dark night behind him. The darkness and night symbolize pain.

 What is causing me pain?

Identifying and naming the sources of my pain is the first step before forming a plan of action.

3. The song implies the issues plaguing the singer were not from the outside but inside him.

 What is or are the thing(s) that are holding me back?

Whatever is going on in the world, my relationships, work, and home life, I always retain the power of choice. While survival might be the priority in a war zone, for most of us, the fact remains—we can choose a better path.

So, what's stopping me?

4. The protagonist in the song went down “a road of my own”.

 Humans are herd animals. That’s how we survive as a species.

 But it doesn’t mean we cannot do things alone.

In the book “A Community of One: Building Social Resilience” - the authors describe a hero as:

• The parent who rises in the middle of the night to care for a sick child

• The teacher who inspires students to achieve their dreams

• The nurse who holds the hand of a dying patient

• The child who intervenes when another kid is being bullied

   What about You and Me as the Power of One?

Final Words

In a 2019 survey by iReach Insights, 56% of respondents ranked January as the most depressing month. Reasons cited were poor weather, lack of light, financial concerns, and returning to work after a break.

The report also states that people tend to make resolutions at the beginning of the year when it's dark, the festivities have ended, and are back at work, facing hefty credit card bills.

All the more September signifies a fresh start.

In many parts of the world, school begins, and companies launch new projects. There is ample daylight, increased activity, and post-summer rejuvenation make it easier to tackle new challenges.

I didn’t make any resolutions at the beginning of the year either.

But circumstances have forced me to take stock and take action - a resolution if you like.

So have my wife and son.

A few projects have taken root.

All at once, there seems to be another purpose, another meaning, and perhaps a deeper realisation of our hopes and dreams. 😄 

Further Reading

The most popular idea since sliced bread? Find out for yourself!

Watch

Till next time.

Enjoy the changing of the seasons☀️🍂❄️🌱

In the words of the 19th-century theologian John Henry Newman -

“To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.”

Jude

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