stopping and starting

stopping and starting

Each evening the sun goes down. The world around us seems to come to an end of sorts. And with the the dawn, the new day begins; full of possibility, time, opportunity, light. And so it goes, mere hours later…the rhythm of time. Of days passing. Of things coming and going. Of staring and stopping.

It’s almost as if each day is a mini lifetime and we experience both the mundane and the magnificent. I realize, the more opportunities that come, the more change, expansion, growth I see and feel, the more things are really just the same as they’ve always been. The sun rises and then it sets. Dreams are dreamed, magic happens, sparks fly and then when it ends (either through completion or fruition or otherwise) they just start again. Every project, opportunity, experience begins and then ends again and it just keeps going on just like that.

I have realized that this rhythm is reality. And it’s not only OK, acceptable, normal; it’s neccessary. All things started must be stopped. Play then pause. Rally then rest. We need the break. And the best part is that by stopping we are trusting that there will be starting again. It’s the way of the world. It’s been going on now for how long? Forever? Something like that anyway.

Beginning each day with hope, enthusiasm and a good outlook is easy for me. My challenge is going to be ending each day with the same feeling. How better to honor the beginning than to celebrate it’s ending? Even for something as everyday as every day, it’s one way to hold a perspective that maintains the most fundamental rhythm of life.

Do you allow for the starts and stops of your own life? How do you allow and honor each end?

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10 Comments
  • Karen
    Posted at 23:45h, 23 March Reply

    Wow Tracey, insightful, wise and poignant words…love it, thank you.

  • Karen
    Posted at 23:45h, 23 March Reply

    Wow Tracey, insightful, wise and poignant words…love it, thank you.

  • maureen @ cottage 960
    Posted at 02:33h, 24 March Reply

    When I was training to be a Montessori Directress, we were often reminded that Dr. Montessori said "after the work, comes the rest." And the rest is just as important as the work. For children it means time for them to cement that which they have discovered and internalized. Daily I try to find time to step away from all I hope to accomplish and give my mind time to wander and float, and empty and recharge, to rest, usually during a run. Often I think it's enough to be aware of the cycle, to flow with it, and not against it. And to be kind to ourselves along this journey.

  • maureen @ cottage 960
    Posted at 02:33h, 24 March Reply

    When I was training to be a Montessori Directress, we were often reminded that Dr. Montessori said "after the work, comes the rest." And the rest is just as important as the work. For children it means time for them to cement that which they have discovered and internalized. Daily I try to find time to step away from all I hope to accomplish and give my mind time to wander and float, and empty and recharge, to rest, usually during a run. Often I think it's enough to be aware of the cycle, to flow with it, and not against it. And to be kind to ourselves along this journey.

  • Jill
    Posted at 13:39h, 24 March Reply

    Beautiful post. And especially poignant today as it is the 3 year anniversary of my Mom's death. I am spending today reflecting back over the last 3 years and vowing to change things, if not today, then tomorrow, for the better. Life is truly too short to spend even one day doing something that doesn't make you happy, bring you peace and give you a reason to wake up tomorrow. Thank you for sharing 🙂

  • Jill
    Posted at 13:39h, 24 March Reply

    Beautiful post. And especially poignant today as it is the 3 year anniversary of my Mom's death. I am spending today reflecting back over the last 3 years and vowing to change things, if not today, then tomorrow, for the better. Life is truly too short to spend even one day doing something that doesn't make you happy, bring you peace and give you a reason to wake up tomorrow. Thank you for sharing 🙂

  • Nancy
    Posted at 16:06h, 24 March Reply

    great post, Tracey! Very reflective and it was a very gentle reminder of my "one little word" for this year – renew. Renewal happens at the end of everything – especially a long, hard day.

  • Nancy
    Posted at 16:06h, 24 March Reply

    great post, Tracey! Very reflective and it was a very gentle reminder of my "one little word" for this year – renew. Renewal happens at the end of everything – especially a long, hard day.

  • anngeedee
    Posted at 02:40h, 28 March Reply

    This reminds me of the lyrics from that song "Closing Time" by Semisonic: "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." Who knew a one hit wonder would be so profound?

  • anngeedee
    Posted at 02:40h, 28 March Reply

    This reminds me of the lyrics from that song "Closing Time" by Semisonic: "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." Who knew a one hit wonder would be so profound?

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