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The Winds Blow...

I live in the small town of Gordon’s Bay on the Western Cape of Southern Africa.... and the winds blow, sometimes incessantly for hours, days and weeks on end, without respite.
Local legend tells that the Wind is born here, gusting and twirling, seeking energy and strength to blow it’s way across the Bay, drawing velocity to travel even further afield....

So while the rest of the country enjoys August winds that bring the welcome Spring rain in September, that signals the start of the approaching Summer.... and just mildly gentle breezes during the Summer with the exception of those gloriously powerful Summer storms... We in this small town, experience wind in the Winter months blowing at sometimes gale force velocity, and even when the wind is still, we experience Winter rainfall, which means that it is usually overcast and raining. Since it rains in Winter, the Earth is saturated and the grass and trees are green, so seldom does Mother Nature need to wake from her Winter slumber during Spring, which is hardly noticeable..... Then usually the winds blow through Spring, Summer and Autumn, and the transition from Winter is simply going to sleep one evening when it’s cold and waking the next morning to a glorious Summer’s day, sometime in October if we are lucky, otherwise we wait until late November or December.

As you may imagine, the ‘weather’ and ‘wind’ is often the topic of conversation at the bookshop where I work, when visitors, holidaymakers and tourists, seek respite from the winds that blow... and I am often asked questions like, “Does the wind every stop?” - “When will the wind stop blowing?” - “How do you live with the wind blowing like this all the time?”.

Having lived here for more than three years, I needed to make peace with the winds that blow.... or go quietly insane, as the ‘Winds Voice’ is much louder than my own. Doing that meant finding benefits to the winds that blow, and in reflection I realised that was much easier than I expected. The valley of the Helderberg mountains is a natural ‘catchment’ area and easily holds the less desirable effects of modern day living - insecticides being sprayed, pollution and smoke. These toxins when breathed into our body’s, manifest in unhealthy side-effects. It’s the winds that blow for hours and days at a time, that blows these less desirable aspects away, and when the wind does cease to blow for a time, the air is clear and clean and sweet to breathe, smell and taste.

I am also a very serious person, making plans to schedule my time allowing for the completion of my work and projects, this includes my free time.... as a result I am seldom spontaneous and hardly ever make impulsive decisions. However, the winds that blow have taught me to be better prepared, ensuring that our beach bag is always packed and we are ready to go at a moments notice if we want to spend anytime outdoors. If the weather is warm and sunny, and the winds are still, then you have to go to the beach or into Nature immediately, because the fine weather can change in a matter of moments or a couple of hours! *Grin*

On these rare days when the wind is still and the sky is clear whether in Winter or Summer, you learn to take advantage of this gift from Nature and just enjoy the moment and outdoor surroundings!

I recently received an email with the following story, illustrating how important it is to be better prepared.....

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Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops. As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received A steady stream of refusals.

Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer.

"Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him.
"Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man. Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, Hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work.

Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, "Get up!  A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!" The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."

Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured.  Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life? The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm. We secure ourselves against the storms of life by grounding ourselves in the Word of God. We don't need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the middle of storms.

I hope you enjoy your day and you sleep well.

-- Author Unknown

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No matter what your beliefs, your heritage and background history..... there comes a time in each of our lives when the winds will blow, bringing the storms of challenge and change. If we have dealt with our past issues, followed through with our daily commitments and responsibilities, we will find respite from the winds of challenge and change by being better prepared.... even if it’s as simple as sleeping a little more while the winds blow, being rejuvenated and physically renewed when the winds cease to blow.

Where ever you live, and what ever lifestyle you chose, the Seasons of Nature follow a pattern of shifting energy, and prevailing weather conditions in your natural surroundings, no matter how unpredictable. Aligning yourself in Body, in Mind and Spiritual Essence to your Natural environment, and following the Seasons of Mother Nature can allow you to learn from these patterns and energy shifts enhancing your life and allowing you to find synchronicity in all. The ‘Winds of Change’ can been seen as a destructive force..... or as a creative force to learn to be better prepared in times of challenge!

Wishing you health in Body, peace in Mind, happiness in Heart and miracles in your Life!

Love and Laughter to You and Yours!
Mands

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