Beautiful! As someone who struggles to write "outlines" and follow linear paths of writing, the idea of life spirals resonates deeply. I like the idea of seeing life as an ascension of a spiral staircase where we revisit the past with a new, wider perspective. That's the path of spiritual growth in my book. We get to see how far we've come from our "old" self and how we've improved. Glad you worked in Groundhog Day, too.
So much of our society and culture revolves around linear mapping and forward progress. My ego LOVES linear progress. She puffs up with pride and accomplishment when every plan goes step by step with no deviation. And how often does that realistically happen? Not so often, but Ego sure expects it to!
This is beautiful Sarah. I agree that thinking of life as a linear journey feels limiting, and I often find myself circling back to certain themes. I've also visited rural Nebraska and experienced those section line roads.
I find this spiral analogy to be very true to my experience as well. In my experience, I don't always find myself spiraling upwards. Regardless, when I find myself faced with the same issue/concern/obstacle it is always from a new perspective. Then it is most beneficial for me to address it - "What do you have to teach me this time!?"
Gayle, I really like the idea of asking "what do you have to teach me this time?" I'm also glad you pointed out that the spiral isn't always upwards. Sometimes I do take steps down the stairs, but in those cases I have to remind myself that those down times are temporary.
There are some advantages to growing older. It allows me to review and reflect over a longer timeline and I can see, like you, that it is only temporary. Whatever the "it" is. The circumstances of our lives are in continual motion. It feels more true than ever that cultivating that inner peace is vital and life-giving. The indwelling presence of the Divine is one thing that does not change!
Beautiful! As someone who struggles to write "outlines" and follow linear paths of writing, the idea of life spirals resonates deeply. I like the idea of seeing life as an ascension of a spiral staircase where we revisit the past with a new, wider perspective. That's the path of spiritual growth in my book. We get to see how far we've come from our "old" self and how we've improved. Glad you worked in Groundhog Day, too.
So much of our society and culture revolves around linear mapping and forward progress. My ego LOVES linear progress. She puffs up with pride and accomplishment when every plan goes step by step with no deviation. And how often does that realistically happen? Not so often, but Ego sure expects it to!
This is beautiful Sarah. I agree that thinking of life as a linear journey feels limiting, and I often find myself circling back to certain themes. I've also visited rural Nebraska and experienced those section line roads.
I find this spiral analogy to be very true to my experience as well. In my experience, I don't always find myself spiraling upwards. Regardless, when I find myself faced with the same issue/concern/obstacle it is always from a new perspective. Then it is most beneficial for me to address it - "What do you have to teach me this time!?"
Gayle, I really like the idea of asking "what do you have to teach me this time?" I'm also glad you pointed out that the spiral isn't always upwards. Sometimes I do take steps down the stairs, but in those cases I have to remind myself that those down times are temporary.
There are some advantages to growing older. It allows me to review and reflect over a longer timeline and I can see, like you, that it is only temporary. Whatever the "it" is. The circumstances of our lives are in continual motion. It feels more true than ever that cultivating that inner peace is vital and life-giving. The indwelling presence of the Divine is one thing that does not change!