Things Change, Just Like the Seasons…

Interpreted by Jennifer Troyan (aka Mama)

I have been living for what feels like a long time but am coming to understand that no matter how long life is, it is short when compared to infinity. Mostly, I have been learning about a lot of things. There is one thing that is really standing out. I want to tell you about it.

Impermanence means that all existence is temporary or that something is only for a limited period of time, temporary or short-lived.

Weather is impermanent. We recently had a hurricane come by where we live. I could feel pressure in the air and sensed when it was near. Mama said we were close enough but not in danger. I still stayed right by her the whole time. It made me feel safe because she was calm. The wind was howling and the rain was loud. It was on and off, and either a little or a lot!

Mama took me outside to check things out (when it was safe to do so). The first time was at night and I could feel the pressure in the air. I was holding onto Mama tightly. It was really windy and the clouds were moving fast. It started to rain so we stood under some cover and just checked things out for a few minutes. I usually want to get down and smell more things. I want to see what is going on around me, but this time, I was perfectly happy being in Mama’s arms.

The next day she took me out in the morning (after the storm had passed) and I had a very different experience. It was totally unique each time.

The pressure was not there anymore. There were some pieces of trees that fell down, and a bit of the neighbor’s fence, but everything was okay otherwise. Now, I wanted to explore. You can see where my attention is in these pictures. I was sniffing the air to tell what the changes were.

Anyway, the air was so fresh. I think all the trees and creatures outside were happy because the storm was gone. The ground was watered, and everything seemed alive. I explored a little bit but not too much.

What I want to say is that things are always changing, from one second to the other. For me, I am trying to pay attention to the subtle changes. Mama says this is a good practice. We were graced with very little effect from the storm. I am grateful. We didn’t have to leave our home. That would have been a lot for me.

We have some friends on the West Coast of Florida who had a very different experience. This was hard. Mama told me about it. I saw the news of the storm with her. It was very hard to see the damage.

Sometimes things change not in a good way, but there is something for all of us in each moment. We are praying for the people to recover and rebuild because our homes mean a lot to us. We want everyone to be ok.

Mama was listening to this audiobook on Self Compassion by Kristin Neff, PhD. She said something about hurricanes! It was something like this: Even though we name them, a hurricane is not a self-contained unit. A hurricane is an impermanent ever-changing phenomenon arising out of a set of conditions: air pressure, ground temperature, humidity, wind, and so on.

I wanted to share that because I thought it was a good thing to know. Things are always changing, even though we don’t want them to. I know I like my habits and routines. Yet, I am coming to know that nothing stays the same forever.

Mama says people all over the world are reading this and so I want to wish you all well and hope you are safe and comfortable.

The last thing I want to share is this beautiful sunset Mama took me outside to see:

I’m sending my love to all the people of the world.

Photos courtesy of Jennifer Troyan

A Note from Jennifer: Deep bow and be well everyone! Enjoy everything, even the tough stuff because there is something to learn from it all. <3

Quote to enjoy:

When the cloud is no longer in the sky, it doesn’t mean the cloud has died. The cloud is continued in other forms like rain or snow or ice. So, you can recognize your cloud in her new forms. If you are very fond of a beautiful cloud and if your cloud is no longer there, you should not be sad. Your beloved cloud might have become the rain, calling on you, ‘darling, darling, don’t you see me in my new form?’ And then you will not be stuck with grief and despair.  Your beloved one continues always. Meditation helps you recognize her continued presence in new forms.  A cloud can never die. A cloud can become snow, or hail …or rain. But it is impossible for a cloud to pass from being into non-being. And that is true with your beloved one. She has not died. She is continued in many new forms. And you can look deeply and recognize herself in you and around you. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh.