To Everything Turn, Turn, Turn: What Scripture and Neuroscience Teach Us About Living with Changing Seasons

Something happens when the first hints of autumn arrive. The light changes. Mornings feel different. Darkness comes a little earlier. We may find ourselves wanting different foods, different routines, perhaps even a different pace.

I know I do. Come the end of September, I crave baking with apples or pumpkin puree loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg, and just a touch of ginger or allspice. I allow myself a more leisurely coffee time before my outdoor exercise sessions as the hourly rise in temperature begins to slow. I start to get excited about cozy indoor entertaining – having neighbors, friends, and family over for soups, stews, and slow-cooker meals.

As we move into October, I wonder: The seasonal changes in nature are visible all around us, but if we direct our attention, what can we notice about how our minds and bodies respond to the turning of the season? And would our well-being be supported by accepting – instead of fighting or ignoring - the changing rhythms and making room in our daily lives to adapt to a different rhythm?

To Everything There is a Turning

Anyone growing up in or around (or since, for that matter) the love-not-war era of Woodstock, bell bottoms and the Viet Nam War is familiar with the generational anthem, Turn! Turn! Turn! To Everything There Is a Season, written by Pete Seeger and famously recorded by The Byrds in 1965.

There is a season (Turn, turn, turn)

And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die

A time to plant, a time to reap

A time to kill, a time to heal

A time to laugh, a time to weep

To everything (Turn, turn, turn)

There is a season (Turn, turn, turn)

And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down

A time to dance, a time to mourn

A time to cast away stones

A time to gain, a time to lose

A time to rend, a time to sew

A time of love, a time of hate

A time of peace, I swear it′s not too late

To everything (Turn, turn, turn)

There is a season (Turn, turn, turn)

And a time to every purpose under heaven

To everything (Turn, turn, turn)

There is a season (Turn, turn, turn) A time to gather stones together…

A time of love, a time of hate

A time of war, a time of peace

A time you may embrace

A time to refrain from embracing

To everything (Turn, turn, turn)

There is a season (Turn, turn, turn)

And a time to every purpose under heaven

As you may know, the songwriter, Pete Seeger, was consciously adapting the scripture in Ecclesiastes when he wrote the iconic lyrics.

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

Neither the passage – nor the song – is specifically or exclusively about the yearly cycle of four seasons. The message is about the broader God-designed reality that life unfolds in rhythms and seasons rather than remaining static.

Perhaps part of living well is learning not to fight the rhythms God built into creation—and into us.

The Neuroscience Connection

Just as the seasons turn and we watch creation respond, so it is in our own bodies which are designed to respond to changing rhythms as well. Let’s consider what that looks like internally as we move into the different rhythm of autumn.

The neurobiological seasonal change process looks like this:

So autumn isn’t merely something we see—cooler mornings, changing leaves, earlier sunsets. At least some aspects of the seasonal transition are also something our bodies register.

The Bridge Between Scripture and Neurobiology

Just as God created a rhythmic world, He created us as rhythmic beings. For everything, there is a season and a purpose.

Modern neuroscience gives us a biological vocabulary for something scripture has long invited us to recognize: We weren’t designed to experience every period of life in exactly the same way.

What if…we can experience greater well-being from becoming more attentive to what each unique season is asking of us, rather than seeking to maintain the same rhythm throughout life’s seasons?

Right now, the trees are letting go of their leaves. We don’t see that process as evidence that something has gone wrong, but rather accept the predictable process, embracing its beauty, enjoying the change.

How can we adopt that perspective in the changes of rhythms and seasons in our lives as well?

Autumn isn’t only happening outside our windows. We experience autumn-like seasons throughout life periods when something that once flourished is ending, when we’re being asked to release rather than produce, or when preparation is happening before we can see what comes next.

[Go here to read more about the meaning and importance of releasing or letting go as part of my Transformation Model.]

The Unforced Rhythms of His Grace

Instead of trying to make October feel physiologically – and even psychologically - identical to June, what would it mean to flow in the different rhythms in our minds and bodies as well as in our lives?

Perhaps in this seasonal shift, our neurobiology would benefit from:

·       Intentionally getting morning daylight

·       Noticing changing sleep needs

·       Protecting sleep/wake consistency

·       Spending time outdoors

·       Allowing for different patterns of activity and restoration

·       Observing rather than judging changes in energy or mood.

The changing leaves may be offering us more than a beautiful view. They may be reminding us of something our bodies already know and Scripture has been telling us for thousands of years:

We were created to respond to - and thrive in - unforced rhythms.

Many years ago, when I encountered the Message Translation of a familiar passage in Matthew, (Matt 11:28-30), it became emblazoned on my heart - a Life Verse to meditate on, move towards, return to, live by.

But not only does this message speak to my heart, it can help change the state of my nervous system.

Research has shown the practice of meditation can actually facilitate a shift in your nervous system from a fight-or-flight state toward a calmer, more regulated, restful state.

 When I meditate on this memorized message of hope, I can get recentered. I can refocus on my lifelong spiritual goal: To daily, moment by moment, flow in the unforced rhythms of His grace.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matt 11:28-30

For Reflection:

~ Are you going through a turn of seasons right now—and what might it be asking of you?

~ Is there a rhythm of activity and rest, holding on and letting go, that you sense needs rebalancing in this season?

**My offers of support: If you contact me via ‘chat w/ me’ on Perils & Pearls, I will gift you a thirty-minute coaching session to talk about your desire to flow in the unforced rhythms.

**And if you have been stirred to further explore your unique wiring – strengths, passions, challenges - & you would like to experience a strength assessment with a certified life coach, I invite you to contact me.

If you would like to follow me on this adventure, and receive notice whenever I post something new, please subscribe. (It’s simple – at the top and bottom of every page on the Perils & Pearls blog site. *No need to be a 'member.')

**A word about POSTING COMMENTS: I LV engaging with your feedback/responses to my writings! But, if you run into tech obstacles when trying to post a comment, please feel free to do as so many of you have done: Send me a private message using the "Let's Chat" option on the Perils & Pearls Home Page.

And if you know people who would benefit from the support, and/or enjoy the short writings, please share the site or a post with them. Heck, just share it on your social media…Let’s grow it together!

Blessed to play a part ~

g