Emotional Weather Forecast: Seasons of Change

Four Seasons for all?

Writing to all of you from the state of New York, I’m aware that many readers haven’t lived or grown up in regions of our world or country that is accustomed to all four seasons: Winter, spring, summer & fall. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot experience similar environmental changes around you that become expected or anticipated when the pages of your calendars flip onward to different months. Similarly, to our lives, we have seasons of change which can be positive and unfortunately negative. However, our life journeys don’t always align with our hopes, plans, or the expectations our family, friends or acquaintances have for us. Instead, our lives can change with or without warning, just like an earthquake, severe snowstorm or tornado that can bury, rattle, and tear down our internal and external infrastructures, leaving us mentally, physically and financially distressed. It is easy to feel alone and hopeless during incidents we cannot control.

Acceptance Leads to Adaptation:

December is shadowy, freezing cold with inches and/or many feet of accumulated snowfall here in the Northeast, while August is bright, humid, warm and beaming with sunshine that seems to never end. New York, and the surrounding areas share the contrasting weather patterns of winter and summer months. In between the extreme cold and torrid heat are neutral seasons such as autumn and spring which are less extreme and arguably more favorable. Yet, there are individuals who enjoy, and even prefer the extreme heat waves of summer and bitter icy blasts of winter to the calmer seasons.

Those who are exposed to freezing/below zero temperatures can be misconstrued as “crazy” for not moving to a warmer region. However, we adapt to the weather since many of us have inadvertently accepted the extremities that come along with living at “home” in the Northeast. Whereas California; positioned upon the San Andreas fault, has experienced some earthquakes of powerful magnitudes that are quite frightening! Here, native Californians accept and adapt to their environment and understand that even though earthquakes can occur, it comes with the territory.  

Likewise, our emotional forecasts/patterns can be predictable, but sometimes not. Therefore, we can either choose to focus on negativity for the things we don’t have on a material level, or we can display gratitude for what we do have on a spiritual level. Although, it can be out of reach for many people to invite positivity into their current living situations at the moment, as we are all at different stages, or temperatures (if you will) in our yearly emotional weather forecasts. Here, we must try to accept ourselves exactly where we are at and disregard the societal pressures of “what we should have” that can weigh heavily down upon us. It is sometimes easier to give others permissible grace vs. ourselves. Are we not all deserving of gazing at the sun, moon, stars and galaxy which belong to all of us? Why then are we restricting ourselves from the spiritual love we can generate ourselves, for ourselves? Regrets and wrong choices might be contributing factors that make the feeling of contentment, joy and self-love seem allusive, but should we let the rain stop us from taking a walk, if we have an umbrella?    

Regardless, we are uniquely created with the power to overcome the pangs of environmental and internal disasters beside the ability to clear the debris after each storm we might encounter during our life journeys. Q: Should we rely solely upon ourselves for the stages of recovery after the storm? Akhila Health replies, “no, we must exemplify what a community of wellness is and does for each other, and for our paths to lead to synchronized wellness.” We accept who you are, where you are and will continue to support you, moving upward and onward no matter what. Our Akhila Health facilitators eagerly provide a safe space for you to learn how to accept the different seasons of change in your life with the integration of holistic wellness techniques and individualized care modalities.

‍Take a Break! Self-Reflection: What is your favorite season.... ask yourself why. Are your memories intertwined with positive emotions here related to feeling your very best...or are there special milestones, anniversaries, holidays or sentiments that heighten your fondness for a specific climate or sensation created by weather?  What about the idea of the four seasons do you enjoy...do you prefer to have weather similar to California, which is considered mild and less extreme, or would you rather live in a region that has four months of snowfall, like Michigan? What is more important to you: Living by the ocean or a lake...do you prefer a rural or urban community?  Have you ever built a snowman, or made snow angels as a child? How do you envision celebrating the next major holiday? Try and meditate upon the sights sounds and smells that resonate from these memories and thoughts.

Is Weather comparable to our life journeys?

Have you ever moved away from your homeland to a different country or state? Did you fall upon financial hardship and lose the lifestyle you were accustomed to? Have you lost much and/or all of what you own, including a car and/or job, because of a difficult situation that many people wouldn’t understand or comprehend? Perhaps you were required to vacate your home or apartment because of a natural disaster, crime, or unhabitable conditions? Weather can be unpredictable; akin to the seasons (or chapters) of our lives. While extreme weather conditions can be catastrophic, we can seek out organizations like Akhila Health to strengthen ourselves mentally and physically to ensure that the nature and severity of our struggles fall upon ears that listen intently with care, and arms that reach out without judgement or blame. Here, like unfavorable weather conditions, acceptance can lead to adaptation phases, which are followed up with a plan of how to cope with diverse changes that affect views about the past present and future self.

“Weathering the storm” Vulnerable and Alone?  

Homelessness is not paralleled to one’s moral failing; instead, it can be argued that America fails to acknowledge that it is a human right to have access to permanent shelter; protecting our vulnerable, displaced friends and families from the literal outdoor elements that can attribute to illness and death. Alongside America’s systemic failure to provide permanent housing to those living in disparity equipped with the long-term tools to weather their storms, temporary assistance of realistic resources ending in permanent residency is deficient. Through all of this, Akhila Health is on your side during every season of your lives, offering you free access to our workshops that are designed to facilitate peace, empowerment, and encouragement that is essential to rebuilding your future, as we advocate to strengthen your overall ability to survive and thrive through the harshest weather conditions of your life. We are here for you, wholeheartedly. Akhila Health reaches out to every woman who wishes to explore the wilderness of joy and hope instead of “weathering the storm” on their own. There is always beauty to be found amongst the unknown paths we stumble upon, yet it is much more enjoyable to walk alongside those who will protect you until reliance upon your own survival skills come into play. Until then, the weather channel can predict weather forecasts that either scare or prepare us. Either way, let’s weather the storm together as we learn to build resilience, utilize survival skills and thrive, no matter what comes our way!

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• Simple Outdoor Activity for Beginners: Take a moment to walk/stand outside if you are able; open the window or door if you have limitations. Try to find a location that is quiet enough to reflect. Sometimes, what we see every day can become underrated! Exploring the nature is a great way to clear our minds. There are no rules...make it your own! Suggestions are provided, not required! Before going outdoors, consider taking a journal with you to record your thoughts.  
• Take a deep breath of the air inside before you open the door (or window).
• Now that you are outside, take another deep breath; note the difference
• Notice the ambient noises of the outdoors; how many sounds can you identify?
• If you live near a body of water, can you see, hear or smell it?
• Look around you and choose a place where you’d consider sitting on a blanket
• If you feel comfortable, grab a towel or blanket and sit where you find calming
• Try your best to narrow your focus on a specific thing you appreciate about nature
• Are there any flowers, plants or trees around you that are of unique colors or shapes?
• Ask yourself how you feel about nature, if this is new to you.
• Do you feel a sense of spiritual awakening by being outdoors?
• If taking a nature walk by yourself feels awkward or anxiety provoking, take it slow.
• Allow yourself to enjoy life without intrusive or ruminating thoughts; just breathe.
• Ponder the idea that we all share the same sky, sun, moon and stars...we are all equal.
• Return to your living space and think about how connecting with nature could help you

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Take Away Message:

Please do the best you can with what you have, and who you are today. Please don’t give up! Try to walk in peace, practice self-love, avoid ruminating thoughts of things you cannot change. Know that you are not alone with your struggles, grief, and pain even though it might feel like it. Focus on self-care right now, meet yourself where you’re at while you’re reading this and realize you are reading this for a reason. May your anxiety and fears be eclipsed by a newly found strength within you. Walk with your head up high, knowing we are all equals, all human and all dealing with our own emotional wars, no matter what our physical, mental, and socioeconomic statuses are. Forecast that you will be led towards your path of purpose and success with compassion and empathy. Most of all, know that you are worthy of love, respect and renewal. Akhila Health has your back!

“Remember: It’s not always what you can do with something, it’s the great things you’ll learn to do without it.”

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