Each Day – Unwrapping and Wrapping-up Our Time

Have you ever thought about the common day as a metaphor for journey—for the outward/inward life?

With each dawning day we face relatively the same opportunities and challenges. As the sun rises it brings all manner of scenes. We rise generally more or less fully awake, revived for a full assault on a long day ahead. We often don’t even think of being (or getting) tired. As the day wears on, however, we do tire physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. We venture outward—the front nine in golfing terms—before we retire inwardly—the back nine. Then, as the sun sets we reflect over our day.

How many times have we reached 10 A.M. only to think, ‘I feel like I’ve done a full day’s work already,’ or ‘Wow, to imagine I’ve achieved so much already I can chill now for the rest of the day.’ Of course, some people only start at 10 A.M. For these who’re able easily to burn the midnight oil long into the night, we just shift the clock forward. The same principle applies.

What’s the point?

It’s the nature of the journey. Whether it’s one day, for one day is never to be underestimated, or a season in life, or the whole thing, we all move outward before again returning home, the journey inward. It’s the reaping/resting cycle. Unwrapping and wrapping-up our time.

It speaks balance. It’s about a time for this, and a time for that.

It’s about acceptance, ultimately. We all get tired, for we all have capacities, developed and innate. The great skill of life is pushing our limits and expanding on our naturally given capacities—within accepted bounds. Some push to such an extent they burn out. Some don’t push at all and live boring, unrealised lives.

Surely middle-ground is the best. Not sure? Perhaps as far as balance is concerned, maybe.

Getting ahead seems to be a common goal to all. It’s a ‘job ‘n’ knock’ philosophy whereby we strive to achieve more; certainly in advance of even our own plans, and perhaps even the expectations of others. Not all live life with this sort of focused intent, but the majority does. It’s the only way we ‘save time’ for ourselves—for those things we truly enjoy and get life from. The things we find truly invigorating.

In our journeying outward—in keeping with, for instance, the mythical hunter/gatherer mentality—we always must be ready to make the journey inward. Back to ourselves. For our rest and revival.

Journey cannot end adequately at sunset without an attendance to rest, and to learning for the next assault.

© 2010 S. J. Wickham.