Life is about cycles

"The water flows, but back into the ocean; The moon sinks, but is even in Heaven." - Zen Proverb.

And it appears that the season is about to change here.  It may still be warm during the day, but the evenings have begun to turn cool.  And the light is changing to definitely be more like fall.  That golden light is so special.  And it seems to be most prevalent in fall.  The humidity drops and the sky is bright blue.  Yet, I know that as surely as this fall comes, and winter follows, there will be a bursting spring and another hot summer.

With the hint of fall in the air,  I can see that summer is fading.  I know that the fall weather with its brilliance will change into multi-hued green come next spring.  All will be repeated over and over as the seasons go round and round.

The seasons are all a part of a cycle.  As I have developed mentally and spiritually, I have come to think about living as a cycle, instead of linearly with a start and an end point.   I know that the years are going by but within those years, the months and seasons keep coming and going. 

Just like the Zen proverb, water flows away, and the moon sets. But they will return in another cycle, whether it be lunar or tidal.  And I certainly know that life has hills and valleys, ups and downs. My best way to cope with those cycles is to realize that each will pass. 

I often think that life is too short.  I wish that I could slow down the years.  There is still much to be done.  Perhaps I had better get going with more projects and try to cram as much into my remaining years as possible.  But maybe all the rushing around isn't necessary.   Life might not be very long in terms of years, but it is packed with repeating opportunities.  I think that real life doesn't follow straight lines. 

This afternoon I went sailing, tacking back and forth to catch the wind.  I zigzagged and eventually got to where I wanted to go.  That is a metaphor for my life too.