How can it be 11-01-2023? A few weeks ago, I decided I resembled Venus—like the planet of love, my days are longer than my years. I also realized that I’ve been in denial—I’m not getting old; I am old. I don’t feel so old, and then someone takes a photo of me and posts it online, and there’s no way to remain in denial.

2023 is old, too, so I’m in good company. The green landscape turned brilliant with gold, orange, and red colors. Leaves fell. I can relate; we are in the season of rest.

Rest? Who am I kidding? We are still on the sugar-high of Halloween, and next is Thanksgiving and Christmas. Maybe nature tries to teach us, and we don’t listen. Running nonstop, maxing out credit cards, over-indulging, and exhaustion counter the purpose of winter– a time for resting, relaxing, and replenishing.

A friend said, “I’m in the last quarter of life, so I’m going to make the best of it.” Making the best of life’s winter includes time for quiet, peace, and reflection.

I’m happy to be in Colorado, where we have four seasons. I like not fertilizing and watering hanging plants in the fall. I get energized when I see tulips in the spring and enjoy sitting on my patio in the summer. I like to watch snow fall while snuggled under a fuzzy blanket. Nature gifts us with four natural and diverse transitions.

We follow the cues from Mother Nature all year as she dictates what we do and when we do it—except in the final season. She wants us to settle down, calm down, and breathe easier.

Today is the first day of November, and I hope we heed the wisdom of Mother Nature. For example, take the black bear. They eat and store up for the long winter months of hibernation. I’ve done well on eating, but I need to remember the hibernation part. Including those of you with full-time jobs, winter is a time to say “No” more often and allow yourself to be lazy, read more books, and drink hot tea. Spring will come, and then we can clean our homes, spruce the yard, and play in the sun.

As my friend and I live the last winter of life, I hope we remember to mimic the final season of each year and allow our pace to slow down. Whether it is the year or the person who is older, let Mother Nature guide our choices. Remember the expression, Do not mess with Mother Nature. She likes us to follow her rules.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of “My Clients…My Teachers,” and the blogger and writer of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.

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