‘Summer’ is a season given bounds as much by schooling, work, and vacation as by the earth’s relation to the sun. Though we have another month until the autumnal equinox, most of us experience summer as ‘done’ by around mid-August. I think it reasonable that we accept this and ask how we might ‘go with it’ and make the most of it.
“Zeus has a design for each occasion, and mortals find this hard to comprehend.” Hesiod, Works and Days
Hesiod thought there is a divine plan in seasonal changes, though not easy to grasp and to live out. Ecclesiastes sounds a similar note:
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
I think that the end of summer is, at least for many, the most challenging transition in the year. In any case it calls for intentionality, and often a bit of steeling ourselves or girding up for what is to come.
This transition varies between households. Some will experience it more dramatically in the ‘going away’ of children or the starting again of study or work. Yet really all of us will feel the end of vacation and the ‘off’ season, and the recommencing of a wide range of activities, clubs, civic groups, sports, etc.
I for one tend to struggle a bit this time of year. While I know it’s time to ‘move on,’ there are things it’s hard to leave behind and other things hard to face. Nonetheless, or perhaps precisely because of this difficulty, we are afforded an opportunity that comes with any seasonal or other life change: to look back and to look ahead.
The most important aspect of any looking back is gratitude. A number of aspects of the summer past will immediately evince a sense of gratitude. For other aspects I will have to try to find gratitude. ‘Finding gratitude:’ here is one of the main areas I need to grow; and times of transition are the perfect occasion to make the effort. Rather than only savoring the good times of this summer, I can try to discover a deeper truth—the goodness and the gift in those other summer happenings.
Looking ahead calls for courage and hope, as well as discernment. For many of us, this is as much a time for new resolutions as the New Year. Autumn is a naturally a season of work, following the dog days of summer and leading into the slow-down of winter. How can I improve my daily schedule to accommodate truly good work and truly restful leisure? Work, leisure, and the relationships forged in them are always the real stuff of life.
Summer called for certain things, and now we are moving on. “What gain has the worker from his toil? I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:9-11
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A simple but accurate perspective, thanks! I found the end of summer to be the proverbial “downer” when our daughters were still in school, even through college. The ebb & flow of life was so enjoyable during the cyclical hiatus. I’d get over it in a few weeks but, just the same, it was difficult.
I keep a running journal that one day they’ll be free to read, and journaling about life has given me pause to be grateful for the summer things rather than linger on their yearly passing. It’s fun to flip back to now and then.
I think our experience has been very alike, Bob. I like the journaling practice too.
Hi Dr. Cuddeback!
Thank you for this reflection. Reading your various quotes and reflections from Hesiod has made me want to read his work myself. Is there any particular translation you would recommend?
Heather, Sorry for the delay. I don’t have enough knowledge to distinguish between translations. The one I use is by Apostolos Athanassakis. I think you’ll enjoy Hesiod!
This is a perfect reflection on the feelings this time of year brings! So much good here to ponder as we move into this new season. You’ve captured, pretty much, my feelings exactly.
So glad to hear it, Michelle.
Ritual helps intention.
How best is the summer be mourned but by the scythe that begins the harvest?
May what once thrived in the earth come to fill your belly as we reap the wisdom of the day now spent.
Never is there a beauty like beauty with her windswept hair in the autumn’s cooling breeze.
Beautifully said!
The high temperature every day this week will be above 100. It’s still summer.
I love the seasonal changes, love the summer sunshine, the scent of september in the air bringing memories of back to school days now long past, though now I dislike the cold of winter, even while loving the crisp freshness in the air, and life moving forward to new ageing experiences. What can be more exciting than seeing a new day arrive and being alive to experience it. Always new surprises in store, especially the interior ones, awakening to formally hidden things about oneself now revealed. Sending you every good wish and blessing on your new project.