An interpretative reading by sis. Bing Mayor of BCBP Kalibo

I recently had the pleasure of attending a BCBP Ladies Breakfast talk given by the inimitable sis. Bing Mayor based on Bo Sanchez’s book, “Enjoy Your Age: How to Claim the Blessings of Your Season”, and it truly resonated with me. The prolific writer and speaker Bo Sanchez has a knack for making God’s messages feel relevant and applicable to our lives today. His book explores the different seasons of life, drawing parallels with the natural world, and how each stage offers unique blessings and opportunities.

Even though we live in a tropical country with just wet and dry seasons, the concept of four seasons – spring, summer, autumn, and winter – felt surprisingly familiar. It’s not about the weather, but about the stages of our lives.

Sis. Bing beautifully explained how Sanchez connects these seasons to different age ranges, emphasizing that these are just general guidelines and everyone’s journey is unique. Spring, from ages 1 to 25, is a time of growth and discovery. Summer (20-55) is when we’re most active, working and building our lives. Autumn (45-65) is a time for harvesting what we’ve sown, and winter (60+) is a season of rest, reflection, and giving back.

What struck me most was the idea that each season requires a different approach. Just like we adapt to different weather, we need to adapt to the different stages of life to truly enjoy them.

Spring: Planting the Seeds for the Future

Sis. Bing emphasized the importance of planting in spring (1-25). This really hit home for me. It’s a time for taking risks, pursuing progress over safety, and learning from mistakes. It’s easy to get caught up in the comfort zone, but as the speaker pointed out, that’s where dreams go to die. The stories of Abraham, Moses, and Peter resonated deeply. They all left their comfort zones to pursue something greater. It made me think: What “fishing boats” am I clinging to? What is God calling me to leave behind?

The talk also highlighted the importance of planting the right seeds in spring: dreams, family, friendships, fitness, and finances. It’s not just about setting goals, but also about building strong relationships, taking care of our bodies, and preparing for the future. I especially appreciated the reminder about finances. It’s so important to start saving and investing early, even if it’s just a little bit.

Summer: Working and Nurturing

Summer (20-55), sis. Bing explained, is the time for working and nurturing what we’ve planted. It’s a time of responsibility, often involving marriage, children, and a demanding career. She acknowledged that this can be a challenging season, but also a time of great fulfillment. The key is to pursue problems with peace, connecting them to God, and to persevere through difficulties. I liked the analogy of the rocking horse versus a real horse. Are we just going through the motions, or are we truly moving towards our purpose?

Autumn: Harvesting and Reflecting

Autumn (45-65) is the season of harvesting. It’s a time for reflection, gratitude, and enjoying the fruits of our labor. Sis. Bing shared personal anecdotes about her own experiences in this season, which made it feel very relatable. It’s also a time to make changes, repair relationships, and prepare for winter. The idea of planting seeds of love, kindness, and forgiveness in this season, to be harvested in winter, was particularly powerful.

Winter: Giving Back and Renewing

Finally, winter (60+) is a time for giving back and renewing ourselves. It’s a time to share our wisdom and experience with the next generation. Sis. Bing emphasized that retirement doesn’t mean retiring from life. It’s a chance to pursue new passions and become the best version of ourselves. The idea that we’re living longer than previous generations and have more time to contribute was inspiring.

The entire talk by sis. Bing was incredibly thought-provoking. It gave me a new perspective on the different stages of life and how to approach each one with intention and gratitude. I left feeling inspired and empowered to make the most of whatever season I’m in, and to start preparing for the seasons to come. I highly recommend “Enjoy Your Age” to anyone looking for a deeper understanding of life’s journey and how to live it to the fullest. Most of all, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional sis. Bing Mayor for her poignant, captivating and inspirational take on the book for and on behalf of all the ladies of BCBP Kalibo spearheaded by sis. Juliet “Yeye” Quimpo, better half of Chapter Head Jerome Quimpo.