Wednesday, September 7, 2011

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. 

12 comments:

  1. hey syd! been a long time... you are sounding good, very in tune with nature, so nice. and here i am watching the days become longer, the brightest new green leaves appear on trees, feeling the warmth of an early summer, renewal, rebirth, new life... and yes, time does seem to be flying faster with the passing years. already i've heard talk of christmas plans... too much, too fast, i'd rather just enjoy spring for now.

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  2. Sometimes I think life is too short too. Too short to worry about all the crap I use to worry about, that's for sure.

    "repeating opportunities", I like that....

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  3. i wish it was longer sometimes...it seems by the time we figure these things out and really get to living it is too deep into life...

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  4. Quality is the important thing here Syd, not quantity. Cramming things in just makes for a heavy over loaded bag.

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  5. This is a great attitude. Since I've been in Al Anon I try to think of life as being in cycles. It helps me get through the down times a lot better.

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  6. Sounds like retirement agrees with you.

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  7. Yes. A good metaphor. We must work with what we have instead of railing against what we don't have.

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  8. Ah, the light in August and September. It is special--soft, diffused.

    I love you, Syd.

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  9. What a brilliant photograph!

    Remembering the cyclical nature of things does tend to be helpful, especially during the rough times. For some reason, though, I am best at recognizing a segment of a cycle once I am removed from it; it is easy to see a long set of bad days as a rough patch once I am on smooth ground again. I guess it would be to my benefit to work harder to see them when I am in them.

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  10. At my age, Syd, I treasure every day for what it is. I wish I'd learned that much earlier. I wasted so many years under the influence of alcohol and can never get back all I missed. But I can, and do, appreciate what's in front of me now.

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  11. What a wonderful post and beautiful way to view life. Living in the moment is a powerful way to live.

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