Love is like a four-season garden
A relationship is like a garden, if it is to strive it must be watered regularly, special care must be given; take into account the seasons as well as any unpredictable weather. New seeds must be sown and weeds must be pulled. Similarly, to keep the magic of love alive, we must understand its seasons and nurture1 loves special needs.
The springtime of love
Falling in love is like springtime. We feel as though we will be happy forever. We cant image not loving a partner. It is a time of innocence2. Love seems eternal. It is a magic time when everything seems perfect and works effortlessly. Our partner seems to be the perfect fit. We effortless dance together in harmony and rejoice our good fortune.
The summer of love
Throughout the summer of love, we realize our partner is not as perfect as we thought. And we have to work on our relationship, not only is our partner from other planet, but he or she is also a human who makes mistakes and flawed in certain ways. Frustration3 and disappointment arise. Weeds need to be uprooted4 and plant need extra watering under the hot sun. It is no longer easy to give love and get the love we need. We discover that we are not always happy, and we do not always feel loving. It is not our picture of love. Many couples at this point become disillusioned5. They do not want to work on a relationship. They unrealistically expect it to be spring all the time. They blame their partners and give up. They do not realize that love is not always easy; sometimes requires hard work under a hot sun. In the summer season of love, we need to nurture our partner needs, as well as ask for and get the love we need. It doesnt happen automatically.
The autumn of love
As result of tending the garden during the summer, we get to harvest results of our hard work. Fall has come. It is a golden time--- rich and fulfilling. We experience a more mature love that accepts and understands our partners imperfections as well as our own. It is a time of thanksgiving and sharing. Having worked hard during the summer, we can relax and enjoy the love we have created.
The winter of love
Then weather changes again, and winter comes. During the cold barren months of winter, all of our nature pulls back within itself. It is a time of rest, reflection, and renewal6.
It is a time and relationships we experience only unresolved pain or our shadow self. It is when our lid comes off and our painful feeling emerge. It is a time of solitary7 growth when who need to look more to ourselves than to our partners for love and fulfillment. It is a time of healing, This is the time when men hibernate8 in their caves and women sink to the bottom of their wells.
After loving and healing ourselves through the dark winter of love, then spring inevitably9 returns. once again, we are blessed with the feeling of hope, love and an abundance of possibilities. based on our inner healing and soul searching of our winter journey, we are then able to open our hearts, and feel springtime of love.
爱情就象一座四季花园
爱情关系就像管理一座花园。想要花草繁盛就需要定时浇水，依不一样的季节和不可预测的气候给予特殊的照顾。同样，要永浴爱河也需要知道爱情的四季，为爱情的特殊需要勤灌溉。
爱情的春季
恋爱就像春季，大家感觉仿佛会永远快乐，没办法想象自己会不喜欢我们的另一半。这是纯真无邪无邪的时刻，爱情是永恒的，每件事情好像都非常完美，每件工作的完成都不费吹灰之力，和爱人好像是天生一对，大家融洽地一块跳舞、享受美好时光。
爱情的夏季
在整个爱情的夏季中，大家了解伴侣不如大家想象的完美，大家需要为婚姻关系努力。伴侣不仅仅是另一个星球的人，也是会犯了错误、有缺点的凡人。
挫折与失望提升了，杂草需要连根拔起，烈阳下的植物需要加倍浇水。爱与被爱不再那样容易。大家发现大家并不是永远快乐，也非一直都能感觉到爱。这现象和大家的爱情图像不同。 很多的爱情在这个时候破灭了，他们不想为这份关系努力，只不过不切实质地期待永远都是春季；他们谴责伴侣，舍弃努力；他们不了解爱情并不是永远是那样轻而易得，有时需在烈日下辛苦工作才会有结果。在爱情的夏季里，大家需要灌溉伴侣的需要并向他们需要大家需要的爱。好的关系不是天生的。
爱情的秋季
夏季辛勤照顾花园的结果，大家丰收了。秋季来了，这是个黄金季节丰富且满足。大家因知道与同意伴侣和大家一样不完美，而体验了成熟的爱。这是感恩与推荐的时刻，夏季辛苦的工作使大家能轻松享受大家创造的爱。
爱情的冬季
气候再转变时，冬季来了。在这寒冷、贫瘠的日子里，所有都自然回复原来的寂静。这是休息、检讨、更新的时刻。大家的关系在此时历程了未解决的痛苦或隐藏的自己，当大家闭上双眼，痛苦就浮现，这是自我探寻爱与满足的孤独成长时刻，这是治疗时刻，也是男性去洞穴冬眠，女性沉入波浪之底的时刻。
在黑暗的冬季中爱惜与治疗自己后，春季又回来了。大家第三同意到期望、爱与无限可能的祝福。大家因冬季之旅做了内在治疗与心灵追寻，而更能打开心胸，感受爱情的春季。
