The thing I’ve observed about nature is that there is ALWAYS a cycle to everything.
The view from my room every morning. I was staring at the palm trees and noticed how the branches at the very top of the tree were bright green and how those at the bottom were withered and dying, dried out and brown in colour. It made me think about how these trees maintain themselves. They are sufficient and have a natural system to replenish themselves and to continue producing as long as they are planted in the ground. The earth and all its elements takes care of its needs and in the right timing and season, the right things need to happen- branches fall off, coconuts ripen... It's all part of a beautiful cycle of sufficiency and enoughness.
Watching the sunrise from my gigantic open room window, it occurred to me…
There is no forced timeline or schedule, just a natural flow of transitions. Flowers blossom, crops reap harvest, fruits ripen, seeds break ground and plants wither and die. At any given moment, everything finds itself in one stage of its cycle and it will only be a matter of time until that stage gives way to the next.
This was a humbling reminder of how all things in life has its own natural rhythm. There is a cycle to which all things take place and no matter what- there is always enough for everyone and everything to survive.
For the past 5 days, I’ve been staying in a hotel accommodation that has definitely challenged my oneness with nature. I didn’t know it at the time, but when I booked the room I had no clue that it would be fully exposed! I had to get used to sleeping in the open air and all the elements including extremely heavy rain one night. I had to get used to the bugs and lizards literally everywhere and even showering in a so-called shower that had only a curtain (no glass) for a window covering.
My stay here has been very eventful. It’s challenged me in all the best ways and I’m actually glad I didn’t chicken out and go to a different accommodation.
Now sitting here watching my final sunrise from this view, I am humbled by these learnings.
I am reminded of my smallness in the midst of such a great and complex world.
Like the birds and the trees, I am but a small part of a grand ecosystem of life.
Even though it can seem like the world revolves around me and my problems are so intense- I am really just here to add to the beautiful picture of life.
My experience becomes richer the more I allow myself to release the need for control and instead, become one with the elements around me.
Just like the endless supply of sun, rain, wind, soil- life gives us everything we need, when we need it.
We need not worry about where the next source of provision will come from, or how, all e need to do is keep existing, flourishing & thriving in our own beauty.
As I approach the 1 month mark of my trip here (I know... it's gone by so fast!), I am reminded to take a step back and remember my smallness.
I go back to the city today and then after that, I fly to Singapore to commence my great indo-china adventure. I know that in some way, I'll adapt back to city-life, city-thinking and city-being.
I want to remind myself (and you, reading this) to come back to the humble lessons of nature. To remember that there is always a bigger picture and when I'm feeling lost, overwhelmed and confused- that there is always a natural cycle at play. One season will eventually give way to another and there is always enough to go around.
My needs will always be met, what will be will be and I just need to stay grounded.
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