Endings...

I love watching the sun go down. The way the sky and clouds light up. The way the colors change and deepen. It's never the same sunset second to second.

Most people stop and take in the display with awe. Many people go to watch the sunset from a favorite spot. A ritual to say goodbye to the day.

What about the sunsets in our lives? How do we feel about the ending of something? A life, a relationship, a job, a living space, a car, health, a vacation. How open are we to these sunsets? Do we pause and take in the shift? Do we have a ritual to say goodbye?

I know that, for me, there is a certain level of resistance when something comes to an end in my life. I notice that I tend to get grumpy and easily agitated. I feel sad. I want to run and hide. Since I became aware of my automatic pattern around endings, I watch my emotions and desires to react just like watching the sky as the sun sets. There's a level of acceptance and simply being with all the feelings. Taking it all in.

Then it's over. There is darkness for a while. And then a new beginning. There is always a new beginning.

What would the value be in becoming aware of your automatic reactions to endings? Would creating another way of being around endings support acceptance and ease?

Write about a time when there was an ending and you remember reacting. Notice if this way of reacting often come up for you when an end is imminent. Then write out how you choose to be when an end is coming. Create a ritual if you like. A way to transition easily into the next beginning.

copyright Yvonne Falk 2009 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED