Written by Prof. Mannixs E. Paul, PhD, FCFIP, FCIML, FCECFI, FFAR
Life doesn’t stand still. It moves in season just like nature does. There’s a time to begin, a time to grow, a time to harvest, and a time to rest. Some seasons are full of sunshine, while others feel like long winters. The secret to living well is not trying to escape these seasons but learning how to embrace each one.
Wisdom is knowing when to pause and when to press forward. Not every moment calls for action. Sometimes the best thing you can do is wait, reflect, and prepare. At other times, hesitation can cost you opportunities, and the right choice is to act with courage. The challenge is learning to tell the difference.
Think about the bamboo tree. For years after it’s planted, nothing appears above the ground. Many would give up, assuming the effort was wasted. But what’s happening out of sight is just as important—the roots are spreading deep and wide. Then suddenly, when the time is right, the bamboo shoots up to extraordinary heights in just a matter of weeks. Life often works in the same way. Seasons of waiting are rarely wasted; they are times of hidden growth.
Those without vision often miss this rhythm. They grow impatient in seasons meant for preparation or become passive when it’s time to move forward. They expect every day to be summer, but when winter comes, they see it only as loss instead of renewal. But those with dreams, those who carry vision, see things differently. They understand that every season has a purpose. Nelson Mandela, for example, spent 27 years in prison season many would call wasted. Yet, instead of breaking him, it prepared him. That time of struggle became the foundation for his leadership, equipping him to guide a nation toward unity.
It’s the same in our everyday lives. The long nights of study eventually pay off in knowledge and opportunity. The entrepreneur’s failures often become lessons that fuel future success. Even personal hardships can shape strength, patience, and empathy—qualities that success alone could never teach.
Every season is a stepping stone. Some will challenge you, some will reward you, and some will simply prepare you. None are meant to be wasted. Just as a staircase rises one step at a time, destiny unfolds one season at a time.
So, instead of resisting the seasons of life, embrace them. Spring brings new beginnings. Summer demands hard work. Autumn rewards with harvest. Winter restores and teaches patience. Together, they create the full rhythm of life.
In the end, greatness doesn’t come from rushing through seasons but from walking through each one with vision, courage, and faith. If we do that, every phase, whether painful or joyful—becomes a stepping stone to the destiny we were meant to reach.
Be mindful not to remain in a place or position beyond your time, as doing so can risk your relevance in every area of life. Know when to retire gracefully and embrace the next calling of your journey. Find joy in adding value to others and take pride in the work you do, for that is the essence of life. Nothing lasts forever—change is the one constant we can count on. There should be no regrets, only lessons learned along the way.
Courtesy of MEFoundation