A Rhythm of Life’s Invitation to Live Seasonally

A Rule of Life, also known as a Rhythm of Life, is a tool I’ve found to be both practical and inspirational as I given more attention to the relationship between my inner and outer life. It has proven itself to be a holistic way to organize my goals, as well as a budget for my time and resources. I name what and who matters most to me and a Rhythm helps me protect my time with them.

Through the years of using this tool I’ve noticed how it also draws me into the natural seasons. Living seasonally has prompted me to remember three things: change is natural, all things are temporary, and that all beings are interconnected.

A Living Tool

Implementing a Rule of Life is not meant to be a one-time practice, but a cyclical one. Our lives do not often stay the same for long and neither should our Rules remain static. This is why I prefer to use the term Rhythm of Life. This is not a tool meant to enforce a rigid or one-size fits-all formula, but a supportive foundation we can return to again and again to adjust as our particular needs shift.

In each season, both natural and personal, our needs change. Our clothes usually change between summer and fall and we may use different types of shovels in the winter and spring. Our lives also experience change. These changes may be as big as pivoting into a new career, losing a loved one, becoming a parent, beginning a new degree, or moving to a new area. They may be as ordinary as establishing a new habit, exercising differently, or cleaning out a closet. What was once helpful may not be as relevant in a new season of life. Over time, small adjustments can be made to serve long-term goals.

What was the last notable change in your life? How did you adjust?

A Rhythm of Life is Temporary

I remember feeling invincible as a teenager. With age that feeling has diminished significantly, especially in the presence of illness, burnout, and stress. Finitude catches up with us, whether we like it or not. Just as nature’s seasons are temporary, so too are the seasons of life. From spring’s tender buds to autumn’s beautiful hues, the natural world knows death is an integral part of life. This reality doesn’t make life disposable or meaningless. Quite the opposite, the fragility of life is one reason why it’s so precious.

A Rhythm recognizes this and offers a gentle invitation to live within the present season. By reflecting on our every day life, we can identify opportunities to be caretakers of our time, resources, and relationships. This approach can help us move through both joyful and painful seasons.

If you were to describe your season of life in three words, what would they be?

A Rhythm of Life is an Ecosystem

While a Rhythm is highly individualized to each person, it also reveals the connections between self and others. Just as a meadow has an ecosystem with a variety of plants, insects, and animals, our lives have relationships and communities that shape our choices and identity. The consequences of our actions (or inaction) have impacts beyond our own lives. A Rhythm of Life is a snapshot of our engagement with those social connections.

And yet, the meadow is not always self-sustaining. There may be a flood or new predator that carries away a large piece of the food chain. These types of disruptions are not unusual in our own lives. Establishing a Rhythm of Life does not protect anyone from life’s tragedies or stressors. Rather it can help us identify what is in or outside our control. Additionally, it is a critical reminder that all living beings are interconnected.

What is it like to live within your ecosystem?

Have you considered writing a Rhythm of Life? I’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or experiences with this practice.