Turn, turn, turn

"For everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven."

When is the time to weep?
A few days after a loss, when the rain has drenched the world in the evening and morning has come and the stream is burbling over with nature's tears.
In exhaustion, after having stood strong, and knowing with relief that that worst has past.
Alone, in the company of cats, or in the arms of a friend.
Note to self: avoid male cats. They tend to bite.

When is the time to laugh?
When overwhelmed, laughter lightens the mood.
When playing with kids.
When reading magazines and realizing how absurd humanity is.
When you need to keep going.
Note to self: it is difficult to laugh when playing the flute.


When is it the time to break down?
At the end of autumn, the garden needs to be prepared for the winter.
After a show, a set needs to be taken down.
Sometimes, it is necessary to leave a job or a town or a school or a friendship, and just cut your losses.
Note to self: The hammock needs to be taken down for the winter because otherwise it is not very strong the next year!


When is it the time to build up?
When I am getting students excited about a new project.
When I am filled with spring energy and there's so much to do!
When I have that strong nesting instinct that says "carpet your house! make your kitchen functional! go! go!
Note to self: I tend to build up too much.


When is it the time to keep silence?
When I don't know what to say.
When anger is simmering and I need to choose my words.
When I am trying to understand what is going on around me.
When it is late at night and the stars are twinkling and the windchimes are ringing and the world feels so vast and so alive.
Note to self: I used to be afraid of quiet. Now I revel in it! Maybe that's a sign of growing up.

When is it the time to speak?
When I'm teaching languages or music.
When I need to advocate a cause.
When I have stories to tell and chatting to be shared.
Note to self: Yak yak yak.

When is it time to seek?
When I have an unsatiable quest for knowledge (that is, most of the time.)
When I have no idea where I put my brush.
When playing hide-and-go-seek or kick the can.
When pursuing a dream.
Note to self: If seeking a missing brush, it's probably in the fridge.

When is it the time to lose?
When the person you're playing a game with will hate you if you win one more game.
When your king really truly is destined to be in checkmate, soon, anyway.
When you know that it's best for the person you love.
Note to self: Remember the line in Hook: " I've lost my marbles!"

When is it time to mourn?
On anniversaries of death, or on moments when you just feel close to the loved one.
When reading certain poems or playing certain piano pieces.
At first snowfalls and first crocuses and first fires and first fallen leaves.
Note to self: Sometimes mourning is beautiful, too.

When is it time to dance?
When playing with one's nieces and nephews.
When my friends are doing folk dancing on Sundays.
When fired up with energy before a show.
Note to self: I always feel strong when I'm dancing and moving around.

When is it time to keep?
When I remember who the people who wrote the letters are.
When the books are irreplaceable.
When there's still space for all I keep.
Note to self: There's a gossamer line between archiver and pat rack.

When is it time to cast away?
When the memories are painful...or meaningless.
When the memories are holding you back from growth.
When it is beautiful to watch a balloon flying, or a feather float away on the river.
Note to self: Most losses aren't cast away, but go of their own accord.

When is it time to love?
It's always time to love.