Changing Seasons: Literally, Figuratively, and Everything in Between

October edition - Focus

Hi friends!

We are back for another edition of The Collective Lens blog, and this time we are talking about the changing seasons.  This can have more than one meaning, of course.  Literally, we are now officially into the Fall.  Figuratively, we all experience (and may be experiencing) various seasons in our lives.  In this issue, we will explore some practical tips on how to weather these season changes of life. How do you show up in this season that should be held sacred for you to slow down?  As always, share with a friend or family member.  We hope you enjoy it! 

Opening Reflection

As we enter these cozy autumn months, I invite us to pause and reflect on the seasons of life we each find ourselves in. Just as the flora, fauna, weather and even the soil underneath our feet all shift with the rhythms of nature, so too are we called to live in step with the season of our own lives.

Are you in a season of creation or harvest? Is your path one towards expansion and growth, or for slowing down and reflection? Our children, we as parents, and our community as a whole each move through these rhythms differently.

Whatever season you are in today, I encourage you to meet each day with readiness. Readiness to be intentional in how you thrive, to stay disciplined in what you maintain, and, on the hardest days, to offer yourself grace if surviving is all you can manage.

--Eric McBride, TLCC Secretary

A Personal Reflection: The Power of My "Yes" and "No"

by: Brittany Williams

This year, I’ve come to truly recognize the power in my “Yes” and my “No.” I’ve learned that either one can be a complete sentence, without the need for over-explaining or justifying my decisions. That realization has helped me set boundaries that I know will be especially important as we head into the busy holiday season.

When the invitations to parties and gatherings start rolling in… when extended family traditions and unspoken expectations begin to resurface… it’s easy to feel the pressure to please everyone. Sometimes, over-explaining is our way of doing just that—trying to make others feel comfortable with our choices. But here’s the truth I’ve embraced: I’m the one who has to live with my decisions, not everyone else.

Not everyone will agree with your choices, and that’s okay. Aside from the people in your immediate family or inner circle, most others don’t have to carry the weight—or enjoy the benefits—of your decisions. That’s why prioritizing your own needs and the needs of your family is not just important, it’s necessary. It’s how we hold on to the peace, joy, and gratitude that this season is meant to bring.

Over the past year, through different seasons and personal transitions, I realized my priorities had slowly gotten out of balance. In trying to do all the things and be there for everyone, I neglected my own needs—and, in turn, the needs of my family. It was a wake-up call. I had to come to terms with the fact that I don’t need to explain my need for rest, quiet time, fun, family, prayer, Netflix binges, phone-free time, or even doing absolutely nothing.

I’ve grown more comfortable letting go of people, habits, and even commitments that no longer serve this season—or the next—that God is calling me into. And I’m learning to be okay with that. It’s given me the space to cherish the fleeting moments and honor the present, because it truly is precious.

I've recalibrated my internal alarm—the one that tells me when it’s time to slow down, reset, or show up. And now, I use my Yes and No with intention, as tools to protect my peace and align with my purpose.

Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying you should “just say No” to everything you don’t feel like doing. As a committed member of my household, church, and community, I know that sometimes showing up is a sacrifice. But I’ve become more mindful of my capacity—and more honest about when I have the energy to give a genuine Yes.

So, as you move into the holidays, I encourage you to carry gratitude and mindfulness into every decision. Be intentional with your time. Appreciate the goodness God has already shown you. Love your people deeply, even in small, simple ways. And let your Yes and your No be spoken with both kindness and clarity—without the need for an explanation.

In Closing

We hope that this message resonates with you and gives you pause to think on how you will approach this season-whatever that means to you.  What small promises can you make and keep for yourself?  How will you ensure that self is at the top of that to-do list?  Be kind to yourself, always.

Until next time…

-The TLCC Team