New season is time to reflect

As the seasons change there certainly is an autumnal nip in the air. Leaves are turning into beautiful hues of orange and yellow, becoming the bane of tidy gardeners who seem to be forever raking. Seasons reflect change and can be associated with ‘‘good times’’ and ‘‘not so good times’’.

For those who are experiencing ‘‘not so good times’’, please reach out to someone you trust. It may seem cliche´ but often ‘‘a trouble shared is a trouble halved’’.

Last year, in March, Aotearoa/ New Zealand was in a very different space. We had pressed pause. For most, except for our amazing essential workers, we did not go into work, our movements were limited, we had to slow down. People pursued all kinds of amazing activities.

For some, waistlines got a little larger due to a resurgence in home baking and learning how to make sour dough bread.

Board games came out of the cupboard to be played again.

Families went out for walks together or on bike rides. Some dogs protested due to being walked too much. Native birds not spotted before were seen in urban environments.

It was a time when things were flipped on their heads. Our essential workers such as cleaners and those working in supermarkets were elevated to their rightful place.

We needed to be in clean and hygienic environments, and we needed to eat.

I hope that we have held on to some of the lessons we learnt during that most unusual period.

An appreciation and understanding of what is important – time with those you love, doing the things you love.

I am always grateful for the people I have in my life and the opportunities I have been blessed with. I strongly believe you are ‘‘blessed to be a blessing to others’’.

When I was teaching, it was a real privilege.

I loved the children and young people I taught, and the people I worked with. Professions such as teaching are often said to be vocations, they become your life and define who you are.

I believe I always received so much more in the way of life lessons from the children I taught and their families than any knowledge I ever imparted.

In my current role working for the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, I work closely with members of our Pacific communities, alongside others who are working in this space. This has been a real time of growth for me. I have learnt so much from many amazingly humble people.

They have let me into their lives and shared their wisdom. I hope this has been reciprocal. They have accessed opportunities to grow and strengthen their own communities. I am thankful to be working in this space; it is a real honour.

As the seasons change, let us prepare for the winter, putting the garden to sleep, stacking the firewood, getting some supplies to do some slow-paced craftwork in front of the fire or perhaps a good book to read.

Let us remember those who may not be as fortunate as others.

Share a friendly smile or an encouraging word. Get an extra item or two when you are at the supermarket and pop it in the foodbank bin.

Let us also not forget our native birds which are returning to our gardens with their birdsong, reminding us it is getting colder. They will not be able to access the food they have had in summer and will require us to provide some tasty treats.

Winter may not be my favourite season, however the native birds that flock to our garden bring me joy.

At this time, let us remember to press pause, to look back and reflect on what is important to us.

What our true values are and enjoy what really matters.