MARCH   0-6 YEARS   AWAKENING STAGE

APRIL   7-12 YEARS   EXPLORATION STAGE

MAY    13-18 YEARS   DISCOVERY STAGE

JUNE   19-24 YEARS   EXPERIMENTATION STAGE

JULY   25-30 YEARS   IMPLEMENTATION STAGE

AUGUST   31-36 YEARS    EVALUATION STAGE

SEPTEMBER   37-42 YEARS   REFLECTION STAGE

OCTOBER   43-48 YEARS   REFINEMENT STAGE

NOVEMBER   49-54 YEARS  APPRECIATION STAGE

DECEMBER   55-60 YEARS   DEDICATION STAGE

JANUARY   61-66 YEARS   RENOVATION STAGE

FEBRUARY   67-72 YEARS   DEVOTION STAGE

March: 0-6: Awakening Stage: March, winter turns to spring, the newborn awakens from the dark, unconsciousness of the womb into the world, as the bear exits the den, out of hibernation, into rebirth; at first shocked, then nurtured through and by its new environment. During these years, the child becomes aware of this strange new world of ice and snow, wind and rain, heat and sunshine. They are most impressionable; their personalities begin to form, and their ideals of who and where they are begin to take shape.

April: 7-12: Exploration Stage: April, tender roots and buds shoot forth, the child acquires an avid thirst for knowledge, absorbing information through exploration as raindrops are absorbed by the leaves and branches of burgeoning plants. These are the child’s primary school years. A fierce desire for intellectual growth is engendered by parents, teachers and extended family. Curiosity is the lynchpin for formalizing any sustainable capacity for learning during these critical years.

May: 13-18: Discovery Stage: May, flowers bloom, bees pollenate, birds fill the warm atmosphere with lively excitement; a time of beauty and wonder; children are becoming young adults, the adolescent brims with chemical energy, physical and emotional activity is peeking; self-discovery, an internal motivation, is part of their social acceptance, and identity confirmation. Consciously, and even unconsciously the teenager finds new, exciting ways to expand awareness of the world, and of his or her role in it.

June: 19-24: Experimentation Stage: June, spring becomes summer, time for beaches, barbeques, graduations and weddings, an idealistic season; young adults now tentatively take hold of the wheel on their own life’s journey. Preparing for self-sufficiency, these youths are prone to engage in various risk taking behaviors—some healthy, like traveling overseas, or campaigning for social justice; some unhealthy, like drug and alcohol abuse or cult worship. These behaviors demonstrate an irresistible urge in the young adult to gain mastery over his life at a stage where he has minimum understanding of the best use of his gifts and abilities. Life becomes a series of trials and errors.

July: 25-30: Implementation Stage: July, summer is in full effect, heatwaves, short vacations, Independence Day, all mingle with the hard reality of the daily grind for survival; young adults mature with greater expectations for personal and social achievement. During this stage of life, the need to establish oneself as a credible contributor to one’s existence is at an apex. Efforts tend towards accomplishing worth or value, putting a plan into action, making meaningful work, narrowing one’s focus, zeroing in on who one chooses to be. This all happens through a myriad of distractions, along with a propensity to judge oneself critically, and overreact to inevitable mistakes.

August: 31-36: Evaluation Stage: August; hazy, hot, humid days call for relief; people cram parks and swimming pools for precious final moments of recreation before summer ends; during this time of life adults are still young minded, but their bodies begin to develop symptoms of age: “summer is almost over”. The time comes to examine one’s experiences, to decide whether enough energy has been spent on productive, goal-directed behaviors and tasks, or primarily on frivolous, childish pursuits which have drained one’s resources. The maturity to conduct an honest self-evaluation is critical to future satisfaction in life.

September: 37-42: Reflection Stage: September, a time to daydream, a nostalgic time, when the reality of summer’s end sinks in, and hot winds become cool breezes. At this phase of life becoming forty (40) looms large; a milestone age. One takes on a deeper level of psychological maturity. After experimenting with life in June, positing a course of action in July, and examining the impact of decisions in August, the healthy option is to now take time to reflect on one’s life in totality; this is a different approach, one which requires quiet introspection without the need for critical judgement, but with a clear intent on finding and accepting one’s true self.

October: 43-48: Refinement Stage: October, a golden time of year, autumn colors, harvest moon, frost covered mornings, and cozy nights at home with hot apple cider. During this phase of life most adults have a strong desire to define themselves, to formulate a perception of who they are and to embrace it. At this stage the soul demands precision, aimlessness is rejected, and a clearer sense of direction is expected. Social status is often measured in relation to the accomplishments of one’s peers. The person assumes the task of tightening up the loose ends of his life, skimming the dross, sculpting the image of who he or she plans to grow into—who he or she wants the world to know him or her as.

November: 49-54: Appreciation Stage: November, a time when the western world celebrates Thanksgiving, and the season of gratitude; days grow short and nights long, the weather turns colder, but internally a depth and a warmth of satisfaction occupies the soul; this is the phase of life where well-adjusted persons find greater significance, and they seek to honor themselves for their life’s experiences. At the half-century mark one fosters an appreciation of having stood the test of time, having made some meaningful contribution, children are growing or grown, some grandchildren may spring forth. Yet, with these blessings the fortunate soul is humbled by the specter of the brevity of life, as well as inspired by the hope for greater future reward.

December: 55-60: Dedication Stage: December, a near magical time of year, the winter is coming, the snow may fall, but the spirit of giving is all around; Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, our thoughts turn to others, and to ideals greater than ourselves. In this phase of life many pursue humanitarian dreams, take up unique social causes, become more active in community affairs, or find new hobbies to explore with others. Those fortunate to live to this stage are genuinely fulfilled when they decide to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of others,

dedicating their lives to learning, teaching, coaching, mentoring, ministering, or leading with the wisdom and knowledge attained from a fruitful life.

January: 61-66: Renovation Stage: January, a new year on the calendar, a time of resolutions and commitments to change, hopes for a better future, even with some anxieties about what lies ahead; these concerns characterize the month of January. On the socio-emotional theory of development January constitutes a time for renovation; the elder adult views life as a personal renewal project; retirement considerations emerge, placing an emphasis on the individual’s private welfare and longevity; the trend is more towards one’s unique personal improvement and comfort level rather than the community engagement of the previous stage; a healthy self-preservation develops if this stage is properly navigated.

February: 67-72: Devotion Stage: February, the month we honor heroic achievements of African-Americans, and when we rediscover the meaning of intimacy, and romantic love; the healthy adult in this phase is a hero by their status as a senior citizen, but often their quest for romantic love goes unrequited. Many of our elders find themselves lonely and alone; some may devote themselves to this innate status quo, and resign themselves to their end of days. The more enlightened ones will devote their lives to a higher calling, a greater love, a universal recognition of the power of a living Creator, and a hope for eternal life.