MIND MOVES:Although not always obvious given the Irish weather, the seasons occur within a cycle of balance, each one a necessary part of the circle of life.
Spring is the season of new growth, the emergence of life and colour after a bleak winter. Summer embodies the ripeness of colour and expression, full development of the growth and potential of spring.
Autumn is a gradual process of slowing and retreat, the transition between full bloom and winter, which is the time of endings, closure, a clearing out, making space for the approaching renewal of spring.
People of all ages regularly experience the characteristics of all four seasons - new growth, potential reaching full bloom, some things slowing down, others coming to a close.
We tend to thrive when the traits of each season unfold on an ongoing basis as parallel tracks within our lives.
Our lives are more vibrant and satisfying if what each season represents is occurring on an ongoing basis - beginning new challenges and experiences, seeing initiatives through to fruition, other aspects of our life slowing down, some reaching an end.
Thus we create space for new beginnings, whereupon the cycle begins anew. These four elements need not be present simultaneously. They come and go in the natural ebb and flow of life as the person traverses their life journey.
On occasion, we may rightly need to spend considerable time predominantly within the realms of one season. This may occur following a highly significant loss in our life. It may also occur during a period of great distress.
Many people's lives are out of balance, as far as the four seasons are concerned. Perhaps most common is having too much stagnation in our lives.
Winter rules. There is little sign of the renewal, stimulation and fruition of spring and summer. Others live excessively in springtime, frequently initiating but rarely persisting through to the joy of fruition and the satisfaction of completion.
The importance of a healthy balance within these seasons of life may appear less obvious at either end of the life span.
Endings do frequently occur in the lives of young people. They experience many slow downs and endings, the significance and impact of which may go unnoticed.
Leaving the familiar surroundings of home to begin school; moving from one pre-school room to the next level; the ending of pre-school, primary and secondary school; leaving childhood and entering adolescence; parental separation.
Deaths - of grandparents, parents, extended family, friends, pets, acquaintances. Endings - of important relationships, friendships, of precious dreams such as being a striker for Manchester United when the penny finally drops that this isn't going to happen.
As regularly displayed by overjoyed newly-crowned grandparents, new beginnings matter to all age-groups. One stark example is the challenge many face upon retirement. The risks of death, illness and depression are increased considerably in the years following retirement.
How the person deals with this - in particular whether they create new beginnings and see them to fruition - is critically important both to their survival and contentment levels following retirement.
Ten years ago, then a member of Toastmasters, I was gob-smacked as I read an edition of this organisation's monthly magazine. The publication contained a photograph of a woman making her ice-breaker - her first - speech. The woman was over 100 years of age, the oldest person in the history of Toastmasters to make the ice-breaker.
It is never too late to initiate new beginnings. Beginnings and endings are a normal part of life, the natural order of things. Our mental wellness is best served when we accept this reality and experience whatever emotions are appropriate to the unfolding situation.
We can use our own resources and when appropriate seek help and support from others to deal effectively with the emerging new situation.
This facilitates integration within us of the changes and their consequences, enabling us to move through and beyond the transition without significant emotional scars, with the minimum of disruption, our wellbeing enhanced.
Whatever our age, we each possess the capacity to redress imbalances within the seasons on our life. We can focus our energy on the seasons which need more attention. We will need to be honest with ourselves and be prepared to put in the work required to achieve the necessary adjustments. The contentment, fulfilment and harmony experienced as a consequence more than justifies the effort.
• Terry Lynch is a psychotherapist, GP in Limerick and author of Beyond Prozac