It is said that people come into your life for a reason, a season, or to remain with you your entire lifetime. Now, I have met many people in my life, and looking back, I realize that most of them were just for a season. And I proudly like to call them “seasonal people” because they came and left! At first, I couldn’t understand why people I was good friends with would turn into strangers or why the Universe would put me into toxic work environments full of office politics, backstabbing, gossiping, and where people would purposely drain my energy. And I couldn’t understand why people you helped today or who have helped you would suddenly disappear and never hear from again.
In the midst of it all, I couldn’t understand the reasons for all these seasonal encounters. But life has taught me that sometimes the reasons for people entering our lives aren’t obvious right away until they leave and then a lightbulb moment happens and the Universe shows you why.
And so, the first reason for these seasonal encounters is…
To Make You Aware That Everything is Temporary
Nothing in life is permanent except for change. Be it people, places, things, emotions, thoughts, feelings, circumstances, or situations; everything and everyone is temporary. So when you start a new friendship, get into a romantic relationship, begin a business partnership, start a new job, or work on a collaborative project, it is best to keep this notion of change in the back of your mind. Because, whether you like it or not, there will come a time — whatever the reason may be — when you may have to part ways with certain people in your life. It doesn’t matter if that person was your family, best friend, colleague, business, or romantic partner. It doesn’t matter whether you were in a long-term romantic relationship, friends for ten years, or employed for just three years. At the end of the day, no one or nothing is here to stay forever. We are all teachers and students of life and we are all here to teach each other lessons and learn from one another’s experiences. And so, the best thing you can do when you meet new people is to practice some (emotional) detachment towards them (without being physically distant of course) and to make the best of your time and relationship with them while they are still a part of your life and you are a part of theirs.
The second reason you come across seasonal people is…
To Remind You Who You Are And That You Are on The Right Path
Most seasonal people who have crossed my path are actually the ones who have taught me one of life’s biggest lessons, and that is: never change yourself for anyone, just to fit in! We live in a world where people always try to change those who don’t fit the “norm” of the society they live in, which can be quite a challenge. No matter where you are in your journey, you will always come across people who will try to change you, criticize your life’s choices, question your lifestyle, and judge you for just being you. It is actually these kinds of people who serve as a reminder that you are perfectly fine, just the way you are. These people come into your life to show you it is okay to think, look, and act differently and that you do not have to change yourself for their sake or society’s. Sometimes, these seasonal people we come across are exactly the kind we need in our lives, just to remind us of who we are and not to become like them. Just because your way of living doesn’t fit their expectations, values, norms, and lifestyle, doesn’t make you any less than them or vice versa. We are all unique in our own way and life has taught me to just respect people as they are, their lifestyle, and their chosen path. So whenever you come across people who criticize you for being you, just remember that you are okay, and no one is the same. We all have our own paths to walk in life.
And the final reason some people come into your life for a season is…
To Help Push You Forward in Life
Sometimes seasonal people can have a positive impact on you. You might cross them at a certain moment in your life when things are not going as you expected, or when you feel uncertain, confused, depressed or stagnated in various aspects, such as your career, health, or love life. Now, these people can act as a catalyst for positive change and they can show up anywhere, such as on the internet (e.g., social media), at work, at a conference, at festivals, at the library, in school or university, or you can meet them during your travels (e.g., at the airport). They can inspire, encourage, uplift, and motivate you to not give up and to push through life’s challenges. Their encouraging words, advice, guidance, and personal experiences may positively influence you in such a way that it may trigger something within you that could even make you take bold steps to change your direction and path completely. Though you might not see or hear from them ever again, they were exactly what you needed during a time of uncertainty, and that is to help transform you and push you forward in life.
All things considered, seasonal people aren’t bad, not at all. In fact, they cross your path to help you better understand yourself and the world around you. They come into your life with a purpose to help you move forward, and ultimately, to help you become your best self. In addition, know that everything is a lesson, and every lesson is a blessing.
