The Cycle of Life?

Believe me, such questions has crossed my mind many a times leaving me to ponder my position. I am sure when something unfortunate happen to you or a love one, one of the first questions you might blurt out would be “Why me?/Why us?” I do not really have a problem with that for it is human nature. I myself tend to think that way.

Look on the other side though, that is, if something good occurs in yours or a love one’s life, you do not blurt out “Why me?/Why us?” You probably might say, “It is about time something like this happen to me/us or Finally!!”. Once again it would be hard for me to disagree with such a reaction when I tend to do the same (for most occasions). However, do you for one moment reflect back on your experience?

I have decided to try to present my opinion on such a topic (life’s circumstances) due to my many experiences, (The “way-back” experiences and the most recent ones that has affected me either “directly” or “indirectly”.) which have led me to really think on life and my position in “life’s cycle”. Several of my friends and family-friends have passed away. Ex-classmates and relatives whose young smiling faces I can still picture, whose faces and actions were fill with enthusiasm, happiness and excitement. I mean it is tough, shocking and rather difficult to realize that they are no longer around in our presence, that is, in human form.

These experiences have caught my attention allowing me to reflect on the path I have taken (and the path I would love to take). Recently I have been thinking out rather loudly, “What if I had done this or what if I had done otherwise? Would I be in a better situation if I had done so–and-so? I cannot believe that I did that?” We cannot really change the past but can act differently or similarly if a comparable situation presents itself to us. As you can imagine, so many things have crossed my mind that I am left to muse over what has occurred and as a result to think about life’s fascination.

I challenge you to one day go out and surround yourself and only yourself with nature. Take a walk in the park or just ‘chill’ by the river. Try to take advantage of nature. Reflect on your life and try to surmise how you got to be in your current position. Try to see how you can help others (if you are in a position to do so) or seek advice if you do need help. Think on what life has to offer.

Is life a cycle? Now as I see it, life is very precious. There were some amongst us who have ended their lives for many outrageous reasons but the case and percentages are higher for those who do not go to such extremes. There are some amongst us who probably doesn’t think of life as something special. There are others though who look at life as a gift, as something very worthwhile that deserves our attention.

Life to me is beautiful although it is filled with challenging and unfortunate situations; but why the challenges? Why can’t life just be filled with precious moments, you know, like a smooth sail off to meet the sunset? I really and truly believe that such is the case to see whether or not we have and are passing this "test" that is put before us. This goes back to why I believe we were placed here on earth.

It is like life is a cycle. We not just only live for living-sake but I strongly believe, as aforementioned, that we are tested and depending upon our response, we might or might not have an everlasting life. Check this out though. What about young innocent kids whose lives are taken away by actions of tough-minded adults or even by nature (natural disasters) or by a sickness or for whatever contemptible acts. What is the reasoning behind such losses (of their lives) and how can they be judged when they were not really equipped with the know-how? Well for one, I do not really know the “answer” if there is one but this is what I want to put across. Could it be to teach us a lesson? Could it be to show us how life can be fickle at times? Could it be to help us realize the preciousness of life and not to just treat it as if it is a happenstance? It is like no matter what, we always need to be prepared. You know one day we feel like kings and queens; we feel like superman and no I am not referring to Shaq-diesel (Can I add superwoman in here as well?); we feel like superhuman—you know—like if we are invincible. Think again.

Life is like a cycle. Growing up as kids we are provided (for most of us) love, shelter, food and supposedly the dos and don’ts. We run around with others our own age, we go to school return home to have some food and before we can say thank you mom and dad, we are out on the street once again playing with our little amigos. Such moments are really fun but life continues.

Next is the stage of pre-adolescence. Here we obtain more discreet knowledge from our parents, teachers, elders and community leaders. Our “brain empowerment” is constantly being fed with facts, advises and opinions. It is a constant process of learning.

This leads us to adolescence equivalent to “time-to-paaty” and “spend-too-much-time-on-the-phone”. We are increasingly becoming aware of our selves and continuously getting to meet new friends. Some of us shy away from others whilst the other group seeks unwarranted attention. During this time-period, we tend to find our “gang” and become very comfortable with the group we hang with...sharing time, money and even “food” (Bwoy, ah wah cut yuh.). This supposed to be a really fun stage, as most of us always seem to cause headaches to our parents. Boy do we think we are cool in this phase of our life.

With the end of the previous stage and with us now entering adulthood, we believe (At least that is how most of us feel.) that we are now equipped to leave home and live independently. We, for the most time, feel that we are free and can do what we want within the boundaries of the law (well, for most of us at least), probably so. Some of us bring young bones into this world placing more responsibilities on our shoulders, responsibilities that may be superfluous and very demanding providing for some rather difficult experiences. That is our choice though. That is a part of life.

The story of life’s cycle continues. As we grow older though it seems that the role has been reversed. We are now the ones looking at the young kids (or kids of our own) playing with their toys, providing to them some advice and “know-hows”. Don’t you find that as striking? I mean I can still see myself playing “cowboys and indians” or “good angel/bad angel” or “hide and seek” or “find the whip----bwoy you hot like fiah---gial yuh cold like ice---or bally, if dah mih waah snake ih mih wah done bite yuh loooong time”. I for one definitely do. Don’t you do the same?

Now, we look at so many of our elders and see them in some instances needing help and somewhat dependent on others for their well being. In each stage of our lives, we tend to depend on others such as our parents, brothers, sisters, teachers, friends, community leaders and even those political leaders, in order for us to have a better and/or healthier life -- for us to reach our goals – even as seniors. A perspective of life seems to be more visible to them (the senior citizens) as it probably should be…you get my drift right? I mean, take an opportunity to speak to an elder and ask him/her about what he/she thinks about life. You will certainly get in return the way things were in the past (Ina my time, wee mih have to work haad…unu pikni now adays have it easy.), how different things are in present time, (All weh dem deh bad apple do now adays dah heng pan deh street..dem should goh dah skool oh fine wah jab man – dem too aaas-haad.) and maybe even a prediction on what to expect in the future (Things wah get haad if yuh noh goh dah skool, yuh wah sih.). Now you are hearing that so-and-so is not doing well and that so-and-so has passed away. It is like a metamorphosis.

I get the impression that “LIFE IS A CYCLE”. A cycle that contains many beautiful and challenging moments; many successful and unsuccessful occurrences; many “Why me?” and “Finally something good happen to me!” Our responsibilities grow and so should our knowledge on life. I feel obligated to say to live your life to the fullest “but do not overdo it”. (Such an advice may be too general and hence can be interpreted in many different ways.) It is like the logo of those Nike commercials...”Life is short, play hard.” Try to seek and maximize your potential...you know…strive for your best. Appreciate the nuances of life and do your best whether you are in an uncomfortable situation or seemingly “on top of the world”. LIFE IS A CYCLE!!!

The saga continuezzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…….

I hope that you enjoyed this article. On many occasions I have had the opportunity to reflect on my actions, my family and friends. Any feedback will be duly welcome.

Here are some popular quotes of mine in regards to life experiences.

“To live means to experience – through doing, feeling, thinking. Experience takes place in time, so time is the ultimate scarce resource we have. Over the years, the content of experience will determine the quality of life. Therefore one of the most essential decisions any of us can make is about how one’s time is allocated or invested.” ~ Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

“Progress comes from the intelligent use of experience.” ~ Elbert Hubbard

“It is not how much you know about life but how you live your life that counts. Those who can avoid mistakes by observing the mistakes of others are most apt to keep free from sorrow. In a world full of uncertainties, the record of what has gone before – human experience – is as sure and reliable as anything of which we know.” ~ Ray Lyman Wilbur

Thanks for reading and I’m out…