There’s something about September that brings on restlessness and a desire for change. The days are getting shorter, the leaves are starting to turn, the kids go back to school. Vacation is over.
There is something exciting about the change in the air. In some cultures, the New Year is in the fall, rather than in the dead of winter. In arid places, the rain returns, bringing life and the hope of a good harvest. At least, we hope and pray that it returns, in good measure – not too much and not too little.
If you think about it, it’s actually quite impressive that we have such a clear idea of what a good, balanced rainfall would be – enough to water the crops and lay the dust, not so much that we have flooding and mosquitoes. We don’t know what the exact amount might be, but we know the effects that we are looking for.
In our lives, it’s maybe not so easy to say what a good balance would be. We might want change and excitement, but also stability. We want to laze by the pool, but also to be successful in our careers. We want to spend time with our families, and also make our mark on the world.
How do we figure out how much work is too much, or too little? A little spontaneity and chaos might be invigorating, but when does lack of planning become a problem? What might be fun for me might be hell for you, and vice versa. This can lead to serious conflict within families or workplaces, as perceived slights lead to hurt feelings and drama.
If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time, you know what my answer is going to be.
You don’t know why people do what they do unless they have explicitly told you their motivations. Everything else is speculation.
A child who misbehaves and throws tantrums is trying to control a scary world – don’t we all have those feelings sometimes?
Many adults behave in the same way, camouflaging their fear behind obnoxious behaviour or even bullying. A little empathy can go a long way.
If you can ditch the assumptions and give your family and friends the gift of a truly listening ear and open heart, that magical balance may end up finding you.