Beginnings and endings

In our existence, every process has its beginning and end point. In our human limitations of partially understanding reality as it is, we are often reluctant to accept the moment of serenely welcoming the fact that something has come to an end. Dealing with the conclusion of processes, whether in the personal or professional sphere, is a skill that is as vital as it is underestimated.

Our human tendency is to prolong what is familiar and comfortable, even when its function has already been fulfilled. We often go through life living with unfinished tasks, leaving conversations unfinished, keeping projects in endless development. And we justify this procrastination with the argument of saving time, but we disregard the fact that what remains unfinished comes at a cost, either to ourselves because it will then take even more time and energy to complete, or by transferring the burden of the pending task to other people. In this way, our inability to finalise our processes becomes shared, often without the agreement of other beings. This habit not only jeopardises our well-being and effectiveness, it also undermines our confidence in our abilities and can damage the quality of our relationships.

If we look at the collective sphere, we can see that the effects of this attitude of leaving processes open-ended, or directing our actions in an inelegant and even irresponsible way, can also be seen there. An easy example of this is consumption: we act thoughtlessly, request more than we need, and then discard it as if it were possible to make the effects of our incompetence in dealing with our needs disappear, by trying to fulfil them with external elements in a futile attempt to replace our real needs.

Paradoxically, it is in the act of concluding processes that we find authentic Freedom for new (re)beginnings. By closing a cycle with clarity and dignity, we nourish the fertile soil in which the seeds of new realities can germinate. This attitude and practice is in harmony with the intrinsic wisdom of nature, where each season gracefully gives way to the next, and so Life resurfaces at every moment, in beauty and power. Life, in its simple and infinite wisdom, operates in a succession of cycles, similar but always renewed. Every breath, every heartbeat, every day that comes and goes reminds us that beginning, middle and end are equally essential parts of any meaningful process. By honouring and respecting this natural rhythm, we open up the possibility of a life fuller of meaning, health and freedom. If we want a poetic image, this is about choosing to live in harmony with the cosmic dance of eternal creation and dissolution.

Here's an invitation for us to learn to end our processes with the same motivation and respect with which we began them, and to recognise that every moment we end something with dignity and elegance, we are actually generating the prelude to a new and promising beginning. By the way: have you washed, dried and put away the last dishes you used? And is the sink clean and dry, ready for the next use? We continue.