Strolling through the Seasons

October is a month between hot Summer and a cold Winter to come. Colors are a spectacular painting that Fall presents as if a gift from the Universe; a Divine Entity.

I have written many pages about the atmosphere of Fall and what it means to those who feel, see and breathe such wonders.

When Winter is with us and trees a bare of leaves, it could be a time of sadness or depression. However, it is a fact that there is less happiness when days are short than in Spring, Summer, and early Fall.

Waking up without an alarm clock at about 05.30 in the Summer and 07.30 in the Winter, it is as though we are missing out on the number of years, months, weeks we are on Planet Earth.

We can’t change the seasons or massage the clocks to lengthen days! Less stimulation, less reason to in fact do anything! Potential solution? May be totally normal for many, but to those who are not taking action or unable or not motivated ‎to respond, it may not seem obvious.

But there are possible remedies.

Engage with people. Even for an hour having tea, coffee, wine or beer, opens up a dialogue. Talking about the ‘dark days’ before Christmas’. But having a laugh, perhaps a moan about something silly.

As people become older (what’s that!!!?) engaging with folk becomes ever more critical. Face to face where feasible. At least technology facilitates such a possibility; especially important when family and friends live in faraway places.

Now I believe you are as old as you feel. If a person is forty-eight and feels like death warmed up and in contrast, a 90-year-old still has the manner of a teenager and is as fit as a fiddle, apart from illness, what is happening?

Life for each one of us is unique. Even doing the same job at a company, the motivation, physical and mental posture will be different.

I’m a volunteer exhibition steward at Winchester Cathedral’s award-winning Kings and Scribes Exhibition. ‎ Activities mean there is a good level of empathy and indeed friendship; camaraderie with other ‘colleagues’.

Contrary to a corporate environment, there is no competition. We are a team. We have a laugh. We all enjoy engaging with people from around the world. The atmosphere among the team is super. The majesty of the Cathedral ‎enhances and unifies relationships. There are lectures focused on Winchester’s awesome history from Roman times, to the Anglo-Saxon period, Alfred the Great, Anglo-Danish era through to William the Conqueror. Visitors are aghast at the treasures they see before them. I have literally seen the occasional visitor with tearful eyes. There is no obligation. Everyone is welcomed. Literally, warmly welcomed on entering this 1000-year-old icon.

Back to engaging with people, such an activity to me is essential. I realized this during lock-down. I missed ‘colleagues’ volunteers. I missed meeting people. There are over 800 volunteers engaged in Winchester Cathedral. Not because we have to volunteer, but because it is a type of vocation and we enjoy the various activities. Meeting with so many visitors, families, children; naturally regardless of belief or origin is pure joy. I am aware our enthusiasm does create a happy atmosphere, feeding visitors with positivity and definitely kindness.

Engaging with people and kindness go together. On a gloomy winter’s day, a smile and genuine kindness can brighten the day for many. Keep smiling and engaging; compassionate. Listen to people at a ratio of two ears and one mouth.

Stroll through the senses, come alive! Free the heart! Good vibes are infectious. Tangible; stimulating positivity.

Let’s spread a little happiness during the short days. Not a challenge but a rewarding pleasure!