Learning from the cycle of life

[Guest guest]

Learning From The Cycle Of Life

 

As we walk through the world, the people we encounter appear so

different from one another. We see babies, old men, pregnant women,

and teen-aged boys. We know couples on the verge of marriage and

lonely widows. We interact with toddlers and the terminally ill. As

different as each person seems, they are all living the human

experience. They are just at different places in the cycle that

begins with birth and ends with death. Every phase of the cycle of

life has its gifts and its challenges. Each stage is temporary and

ultimately gives way to a new phase. This ephemeral quality makes

each phase precious, because it will never last.

 

One of the wonderful qualities possessed by babies and young children

is that they are unaware that a cycle of life even exists. They

simply are present to wherever they happen to be right now, and they

don't give much thought to the past or future. Being around them

reminds us of the joy that comes from living fully in the moment. On

the opposite end of life's cycle are our elderly role models. They

are a reminder that each phase of life should be treasured. Time does

pass, and we all change and grow older.

 

Being aware of the cycle of life and our place in it makes us wiser.

As we develop a true appreciation for the phase we are in, we can

savor it more. A new mother going through a difficult time with her

infant can more easily embrace her challenges because she knows that

her child will grow up, and she will long for this time again.

Difficult and challenging periods are inevitable, but – like

everything that is a part of the cycle of life – they are temporary.

When we are fully engaged with life, we get to savor and grow from

each phase, and we are ready for the next one when it arrives. Fully

embracing wherever you are in the cycle of life is the very essence

to happiness.