The cycle turns: Pain and Patience
Not that many days ago, I was remembering a lesson life taught me long ago — how people crack and show their deepest, darkest selves when times get rough. How, when pressure mounts, those frail facades just shatter into nothingness.
And of course, I was right.
No need to point fingers — that wasn’t the point back then, and it’s still not the point now. I guess, in my mind, all I’m doing is trying to cope with the ugliness I knew I was going to witness — the same ugliness I now find myself staring at.
Still, I suspect the worst hasn’t happened yet. There’s more drama to come, for sure. Another shocking revelation. Another OG quitting, hanging up the gloves. Another project calling it quits. It’s always at the point of the sharpest pain that things begin to turn around.
This reminds me of something I once learned from Alan Watts, back when I was trying to cope with my own poor financial decisions. I’m paraphrasing, but the meat on the bone is what matters.
Everything in nature is cyclical. A day announces the night, just as the night announces the sun. The good times announce the bad, just as the bad give way to the good. Everything is a cycle. It doesn’t matter so much where you are in that wave, but how you react to it.
I want to believe I’m reacting in a way I can be proud of tomorrow. I want to feel that I’m giving it my best try, trusting that as long as I do, the outcome can’t truly disappoint me.
I say this knowing there’s still more pain to come. But, as the late philosopher said — or implied, to be more accurate — that also means there are more joys, more victories, just around the corner.
MenO
Sometimes, it's a double edge sword, too.
When times get tough we struggle more, but because those we might be serving or providing for are also struggling, they end up having higher expectations of those providers... simply escalating the crash.
It sounds reasonable, but it crashes into the reality that because of economic conditions, those on the receiving end expect more.
I think it's why we see so many throwing in the towel during down times...
Of course, it all is cyclical.
Love Alan Watts... he was clued in to things most people are not.
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Alan Watts has healed my head so many times...
As an engaged spectator, I'm fascinated by recent experiences. Not my particular genre, but I can't help feeling that I'm playing a bit part in a TV soap.
A maelstrom of madness.
The wrath of the wronged.
Passionate plotting from profit-driven partners.
Dramatic storylines performed against a backdrop of group hand-wringing from the rest of the cast. Bemoaning the perceived current value of assets they never intend to sell. And so the producers introduce a lighter character...
A wandering minstrel singing songs of hope and joy. While dancing in his mother's borrowed yellow shoes. 😂
!BBH
Your replies always tell me you must be a fun chap to share a beer with.
What a lovely thing to say! 😀
Now, my yearning to attend a Hive Fest just got stronger 🍻🍺🍻
!BBH
It is a bitter truth of life that when we are in difficult situations, every human being behaves badly towards us because at that time we are in difficulty. So what I am saying here is that those who do not support us in difficult situations should not be with us in good situations either.
Just looking at it now (or at least at what I think you're talking about now) and I'm still in shock.
In just 2 days everything has gone up to shit, it really just happens, no warning, no signs nothing.
It makes you wonder some more..
agree of this, everything is a cycle and I really experience that every day. i face a lot everyday with the same scenario. sometimes there are small wins, and bad days too. its true how we react to such events and sometimes our small moves only bring good things and sometimes the problems that come are even worse.
Even though we have different scenarios in what happens every day, the problems are the same, especially when prices go up but salaries don't go up.
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It’s so true how our toughest moments often become the ones that teach us the most. The Alan Watts reference fits perfectly.
yeah, that Alan Watts bit about cycles hit hard. As an accountant, I definetly see the dips and rises like a ledger, and your point about reacting well in the trough feels like the only thing we can control. When projects fold and old voices step back, it stings now.. but it also clears space for better stewards to step in :)
In crisis we also see the progress that we've made. If the work on ourselves has lead to real change, or if it was just superficial. I like crisis for that reason. Like everything negative, it has so much to teach.