A Contemporary Ecclesiastes
Mom💛
Forever young at heart
Golden Rule
‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’.
Generations come and go, yet the earth remains a constant, silent stage. The sun rises and sets; the wind circles back; the rivers flow into a sea that never asks for more. We often mistake this repetition as time, but it is merely the canvas life provides. We move through our routines, silenced and consumed by the familiar, forgetting that we are observers of a terrain that was mapped long before we arrived.
I have seen many endeavors taken under the sun. Human experiences and achievements are repetitive; what is being done now has been done before, and what will be is exactly what has been. History tends to repeat itself, leaving us with the realization that there is nothing truly new in the world. The vanity of achievement we feel is meaningless when realizing that our most "original" efforts are often just distant echoes of the past.
I turn my heart to the pursuit of wisdom and the gathering of knowledge. Yet, I find that increasing knowledge brings only a sharper awareness of human limitations. To understand the "anatomy of perception" is to see the flaws in the lens; to know more is to feel the weight of life’s sorrows more acutely. We carry a sense of the infinite within our hearts, yet remain subjected to linear time, trapped in the paradox of a beating eternity while navigating a finite landscape. Wisdom is a tool, but it is also a burden that reveals how much remains beyond our control.
Everything has its moment. Every activity under the sun has its place in a sequence we did not choose. There is a time to be born and a time to exit; a time for ardor, and a time to let go; a time for silence, and a time to speak; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. We live in the tension between these moments, often caught in the attempt to make one season last longer, or even shorter, than what was naturally intended.
I have come to understand that there is a time to tear down the structures we thought defined us — our standing, our plans, our certainties, our labels — and a time to watch as time builds something else from the wreckage. We do not choose the opening line, nor do we choose the ending. We are simply tasked with navigating what comes in-between.
Despite life's fleetingness, there is a necessity for joy. I realize that there is nothing better for a person than to find satisfaction in their intrinsic labor and to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and companionship. These are not distractions from the truth; they are the gifts found within the struggle, to be celebrated and cherished. Gifts to be remembered, as it is these brighter days that will carry us through the darker days.
‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’.
I have spent plenty of time observing the complex dance of humanity. I have looked at the nature of those who follow and those who lead, only to find that much of our momentum is simply a futile pursuit — a fleeting distraction from quiet reality.
Generations come and go, yet the earth remains a constant, silent stage. The sun rises and sets; the wind circles back; the rivers flow into a sea that never asks for more. We often mistake this repetition as time, but it is merely the canvas life provides. We move through our routines, silenced and consumed by the familiar, forgetting that we are observers of a terrain that was mapped long before we arrived.
I have seen many endeavors taken under the sun. Human experiences and achievements are repetitive; what is being done now has been done before, and what will be is exactly what has been. History tends to repeat itself, leaving us with the realization that there is nothing truly new in the world. The vanity of achievement we feel is meaningless when realizing that our most "original" efforts are often just distant echoes of the past.
I turn my heart to the pursuit of wisdom and the gathering of knowledge. Yet, I find that increasing knowledge brings only a sharper awareness of human limitations. To understand the "anatomy of perception" is to see the flaws in the lens; to know more is to feel the weight of life’s sorrows more acutely. We carry a sense of the infinite within our hearts, yet remain subjected to linear time, trapped in the paradox of a beating eternity while navigating a finite landscape. Wisdom is a tool, but it is also a burden that reveals how much remains beyond our control.
Everything has its moment. Every activity under the sun has its place in a sequence we did not choose. There is a time to be born and a time to exit; a time for ardor, and a time to let go; a time for silence, and a time to speak; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. We live in the tension between these moments, often caught in the attempt to make one season last longer, or even shorter, than what was naturally intended.
I have come to understand that there is a time to tear down the structures we thought defined us — our standing, our plans, our certainties, our labels — and a time to watch as time builds something else from the wreckage. We do not choose the opening line, nor do we choose the ending. We are simply tasked with navigating what comes in-between.
Despite life's fleetingness, there is a necessity for joy. I realize that there is nothing better for a person than to find satisfaction in their intrinsic labor and to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and companionship. These are not distractions from the truth; they are the gifts found within the struggle, to be celebrated and cherished. Gifts to be remembered, as it is these brighter days that will carry us through the darker days.
Having your tribe close to your heart provides a stable foundation. If you should fall, they are there to pick you up, to lean on. To guide and support you through both difficult and joyous times. Such bonds remain unbroken, transcending the passage of time and occurrence.
As the Teacher, I too seek to discover words of delight, and to write in uprightness words of truth. In this act of authorship lies the importance of grace and integrity, of taking the shadowed space of uncertainty and filling it with the positive light of expression.
As the Teacher, I too seek to discover words of delight, and to write in uprightness words of truth. In this act of authorship lies the importance of grace and integrity, of taking the shadowed space of uncertainty and filling it with the positive light of expression.
Live life to the fullest with contentment, joy and excellence. Flow as water, turning your challenges into opportunities. Move through your experiences, perceptions and reflections with the grace of acceptance. Let truth and dignity be your guide. All you need to do is open your eyes and open your heart.
The meaning you give to your journey is your only comfort; to be discovered in everything you do, any hardship you face. It will not rewrite the objective facts, but will give you insights to carry you forward. To navigate the unknown is to move from the desire to control the plot toward the composure required to inhabit it.
Live in accordance with universal principles, and seek wisdom and understanding in all aspects of life, for this is what brings true meaning and purpose. You are both a participant and a witness to this unfolding story of Life.
About the Author
After 2020 rewrote my life when medical challenges brought my professional career to a close, I shifted focus to a purpose-driven life. Now dedicated to personal development and reflective expression, I believe that while we don't always choose our opening lines, we always hold the pen for the chapters that follow.