Taking the leap...

From Sabi-Sabi

Many moons ago under the covering of steady Marula branches I officially became part of the circle of life. Deep into the African bushveld the short and defined shadow of a giraffe only a few meters away established my time of birth as exactly 12:55pm on the 31st of July. Many lessons and near death escapes occurred since that moment I felt the African sun on my naked skin for the very first time...

Embracing cycles and waiting does not sit well with us. And yes it also doesn’t sit well with me. What I planted yesterday I want to harvest in abundance tomorrow. Having to wait for something for a whole four years in our instant consumerist world is indeed extremely rare. I think that's exactly why I like leap years.

More and more we are developing a summer mentality and it infiltrated all areas of our society from religion to relationships. The sun always has to shine. Things need to consistently grow. Progress has to happen. You should always be happy. New goals always has to contain something bigger and better. And when it doesn’t turn out like we envisioned it we tend to be miserable labelling it and possibly also ourselves as a failure... wondering what did I do wrong? or what is wrong with me? As if pain or suffering or loss is not suppose to happen.

My point is not to say growth or progress is bad or wrong, but to put it in perspective as only a part of the cycle of life.  Death and decay too is fundamentally part of life.  Without it there will be no new life. Their comes a day when the most glorious old tree falls down. It slowly rots away and new life emerges from it. Life clearly shows us that all forms are temporary. This also goes for all structures made by humans. Whether next month or next year or in a hundred years, it will disintegrate. Now how come we get ignorantly and arrogantly identified with our goals and achievements as if it must last forever and as if our very lives depend on it? Almost as if the decline part of a cycle of life doesn't apply to us.

The thing is, when you accept life as having ups and downs, so much more relaxation and peace can be experienced. No it doesn't turn the divorce or cancer or bankruptcy into romantic bliss, but it brings an acceptance that helps you to be present and available to handle whatever the situation is. Thinking this should not be happening, creates so much extra resistance leading to more stress that fuels the inner critic even more. You literally create more suffering. Feeling or thinking or acting from this place of acceptance tends to be far more mindful than the reaction that comes from everything is a mess! or I’m such a failure!.

Consider the possibility that your life’s meaning or value is not for one moment dependant on the ups or the downs of any area of your life.  Failure is after all only a label we invented to be used on ourselves and/or others.  Nature doesn't judge winter as failure and summer as success.

The invitation is to take a leap into this beautiful and mysterious cycle of life and to experience the relief...

Either way I will one day go sit down under a Marula tree and enjoy the African sunset for one very last time.  My body will become one with the earth and will contribute to nourishing the Marula tree that gave my very first shade.  And some of the molecules that once was part of my body, might end up in your Amarula glass...

Renier can be contacted at connect@reflectioneer.com  /  www.reflectioneer.com 
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Questions for reflection:

• Where in my life am I saying or judging this should not be like this?
• Is this serving me in a constructive way?
• Are my goals or expectations authentic to the season I'm in? 
• Do I choose to be completely ok with everything as it is right now? (not to be confused with agreeing with all the circumstances or giving up)
• What opens up as a new possibility right now?