Thursday, December 29

Milestones in Life's Marathon

I'm turning thirty this year. And you know the saying, a woman over thirty is more likely to get hit by an A bomb than find a man. (Fanny Fink)

Birthday milestones are everywhere you turn.  You're either hitting your double digit years, becoming old enough to drive, old enough to claim independence, old enough to drink alcohol or old enough to know you're getting old.  This year will mark one in my series of milestones, with this one being my 30th.  The funny thing about turning 30 is that there really isn't anything ground-breaking that accompanies its arrival.

Some say that by 30, one should be more settled into life.  Married.  Raising a family.  Progressing in their career.  Others vehemently argue that 30 is just a continuation of the glorious 20s.  I have a feeling these beliefs are largely formulated around one's own experience and whether it was a good or bad one.  Regardless, it's a very fuzzy milestone.  At 21, no one can really argue about what you're supposed to be doing.  Get thee to the bar and order as many drinks (legally) as possible!  Just not the case with 30.  I think someone really needs to put together the "owner's manual" for 30. 

What am I supposed to be doing after I turn 30?  Should I be panicked that I'm not married, raising a family and following the favored, mainstream American path?  Am I going to feel more wise?  That's the lone theme I could find in researching various reflections on turning 30.  I'm about to learn a lot of important lessons on life.  And here I thought I'd learned a lot to this point!  I guess the concept of learning more sends a shiver down my spine.  Between my own reality and the onslaught of reality television, I'm just not sure how much more reality and lessons in life my soul can handle.

And so, as my 30th birthday nears, I guess I will sit back, 3-D glasses in hand, and prepare myself for the new wave of reality that is about to hit.  I resolve to take all that life has to offer in stride and maybe compose the owner's manual for turning 30.     

Sunday, December 25

Our Dance with Time


I realize seasons are geographically relative.  However, as an East Coast/Midwest fixture, I cannot help but appeal to my own sensibilities.  In the case of the holiday season, I find it somewhat entertaining that the warmth of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and new year fall at the deadest time of the year.  Just as the natural world decides to break for a brief sabbatical, ceasing to provide us the necessary sunshine and warm temperatures, we humans decide it's time for celebration, travels near and far for time together and a fresh start.  Amidst the cold and dreary backdrop of winter, we engage in retail therapy (an extended and largely guilt-free session given that we're often buying for others), culinary indulgences and many other forms of self-satisfaction. 

Is it possible that this is mere coincidence?  As a 29 year veteran of the wintertide, I must admit that I think it's fascinating and am not sure what this long, dreary season would be like without the predictable break from school/work, gift giving and receiving and, perhaps most of all, the new-found hope of the new year.  As the days and years seem to pass more quickly in pace, with the growth of technology and its expansion into virtually all areas of life, perhaps this time is the perfect time to stop and appreciate our origins and the time when not everything was quite so straightforward.  A time when stopping for reflection on the meaning of the present moment was one of the few options.  Before Facebook, iTunes, Netflix, Twitter or any number of the other more recent entries on our great stage demanded constant attention. 

While sometimes an intimidating dance partner, time can also be a great motivator, an inspiration and, more than anything, a great gift.  So, during this winter season, my hope is to fall better into step with time.  After three eventful decades, I figure it's the least I can do. 


Sunday, December 18

Hibernation: Not Just for the Wild Things

hibernation (n.) to pass the winter in a dormant or torpid state.  


What can we learn from the world of hibernating animals, such as bears, bats and chipmunks?  They call it a wrap for the winter months and enter into a sleep state that could fool some into thinking they're dead.  This natural means of survival during the extreme season(s) of the year is one of those phenomenons of nature that reminds us how amazing the natural order of things can be.  

While some humans can definitely enter into similar sleep states for various reasons, life seems to only continue to move faster and faster about the Earth for us.  So, perhaps it's worth considering the value of slowing down, allowing our bodies the proper care and downtime they need.  Also, it brings to the forefront the concept of life designed around necessity.  This seems an appropriate consideration as well since we oftentimes get mixed up in the fast pace of life, prioritizing work, social expectations and family expectations over the fundamental needs of our bodies.  Ironically, none of these other three priorities can even be a thought unless we have our health and well being.  

As we drift into another New Year, and the time for the year's resolutions comes, take a moment to think about all of the wildlife out there, yielding to the natural order, and consider doing so yourself.  In doing so, you're bound to find a happier, healthier balance as a new calendar begins.       

Tuesday, December 13

In Memoriam: Furry Lessons on Life

Meet Bella.  Bella was a loyal member of my family who came into my life early last fall and, sadly, departed last Friday.  Her brief but precious presence has left me with several new and beautiful insights about this life. 

Life is truly a miracle.  Bella suffered a terrible case of hepatitis/pancreatitis.  We're not positive what caused the issue and never will be.  But, in a very real way, Bella's struggle reminded me of how miraculous it is when our bodies operate properly and fully.  There is such an incredible balance and impeccably designed framework that maintains our every day on Earth. 

Life is connection.  Connections can be a double-edged sword.  They sustain us, foster happiness and lend meaning to our lives.  But, they can also result in extreme heartache and struggle.  A friend's words conjured up real meaning for me in the seemingly senseless loss of my connection with Bella.  "Just remember these things are part of life and ensure we experience the total depth of life as humans in our short time on this little blue marble."  So, connection is depth, and that depth carries through to the end, regardless of outcome.

Life is love.  When I think of this phrase, I think of what I learned about the symbolism of the cross in Christianity.  The vertical portion is about our relationship with God (or your choice of higher power).  The horizontal is about our relationships with one another.  This is the overarching meaning in life.  Know these relationships and support them with all the love you have to give.

Life is mercy.  Giving of ourselves what we can in order to lessen the loads of others is so important always.  But, as I look back at the times I've had to care for the sick, those times mark the pinnacle of purpose in this world.  In my own experience, I can say I've lost total sense of self and become consumed only by a concern for other.  Again, this can be a very painful experience, but also an incredibly meaningful one.       

Life is beauty.  I don't speak of this in a materialistic sense but more a philosophical or aesthetic sense.  Bella was a sample of God's amazing artistry in my eyes.  Her physical beauty was stunning.  But, even more, her gentle nature and elegant movements never ceased to catch my attention and remind me of how beautiful this life really is.   

And so I close with a heavy but humbled heart.  My hope is that many many others have the same opportunity to experience amazing and beautiful souls in this world.  In my view, this "little blue marble" sure has the potential to support a large number of them. 

Sunday, December 4

What is the What

There's a fascinating work by Dave Eggers titled What is the What.  While the story, itself is an amazing tale of resilience, persistence and incredible resourcefulness, it's also a powerful account of what seemingly results from the human will to always choose the "what."  What is the what, you ask?  I can best explain it as what is commonly referred to as "the road less traveled."  This is a sweeping generalization, but hold onto it for the purpose of clarity. 

I've recently experienced a series of events that have made me stop and re-evaluate where I am and what I'm doing in life.  This is not at all uncommon and even less so when one speaks of a twenty-about-to-be-thirty-something.  In any case, my recent reflections have reminded me of the experience found in the beginning of Eggers' book.  In very watered down terms, a legend in the protagonist's village holds that their God offered cattle or the What as a gift at the beginning of time.  Instead of taking the cattle--the sure thing, the concrete beginning--the villagers chose the What.  The What is not defined, has no certainty about it and lacks the centering affect that the former traits can offer.  One could even venture to say that the choice of the What leaves the villagers with future troubles and civil unrest. 

There is a trend in our world to be innovative and "self-made (wo)men."  But, this cultural phenomenon can leave us, at times, wondering what exactly it is we're chasing after.  So, whether through meditation, writing or otherwise, it seems a good idea to explore this concept put forth in Eggers' book on a regular basis.  Perhaps it's even a good way to begin each morning...after all, how do we put one foot after the other day in and day out without knowing, personally, what is our what?  Think about it (and then pick up Eggers' book!).