Season & Circumstance

It’s quite easy to detect when circumstances change in our lives. It’s harder to detect a change in season.

Perhaps because it’s subtle. Perhaps because we don’t often talk about dealing with the seasons of life.

A change in circumstance — like the birth of a child, or an overseas job posting — demands an immediate, definite response. But a change in the season doesn’t. Instead, it whispers softly in your soul. Come away… from the crowds into solitude. Or — go forth into the thick of action.

I found myself spending more time in Melbourne over the last eighteen months. The birth of my second child, and my visa requirements (for permanent residency) — were the circumstances that led to our decision to be based here until end-2018.

The first year of our stay here felt very good. I experienced deep personal growth in my solitude. Being away from friends and family, and from familiar environments — led me to spend more time looking inwards, and studying new subjects of interest.

But in the last five months, I experienced an unexplainable restlessness. Along with it — a sense of futility in work. And I didn’t understand why. On the surface, it seemed as if my life was optimize for productivity — with the time, space and detachment (from distraction) to work efficiently. But there was something amiss.

Last night, after my wife and I had a chat with our coach (now, a dear friend); after a series of conversations with another friend; and after listening to a few speakers at Summit LA 17 — it dawned on me, what I was really facing…

… I was experiencing a change in season that requires me to move from solitude (back) to community. And specifically — I feel drawn to Community back home in Singapore and in the Bay Area.

This change in ‘season’ in my life probably started a few months ago, but because I didn’t detect it; and because I didn’t know how to logically explain my inward desire to relocate (again) — I felt frustrated. Like my young son who huffs and puffs in his little fit — because he hasn’t learned the words to express what he’s feeling inside.

But thanks to a couple of friends, and the wisdom of others — I feel a lot lighter… knowing how to distinguish between Life’s circumstance, and Life’s seasons… and knowing now to watch out more closely for the latter.