One
day, a traveler walked into an adventure. “The Prelude” was gradual like most
introductions to new experiences are. It was easy, full of promise, and flecked
with the occasional delusion of grandeur. September and October were fueled by
feeling, an eager desire, an earnestness to be busy. The most overwhelming part
of the beginning was simply being acquainted with the cultural differences that
would later become somewhat normal due to proximity and frequency of the
current circumstances. Though there were minimal times of doubt and wondering
if a mistake had been made to begin the adventure at all, the Prelude’s major
moments were ones of confidence and excitement.
November
showed up and met with the traveler and so began “The Settling”. A two week
holiday in the big city was to be the only preparation for the non-stop journey
ahead. For nine long, busy weeks, the traveler never went anywhere, but instead
remained and found time grew short with more business. This time was not so
easy. The promises had seemed to fade and the few delusions that had been were
now utterly gone. Energy was no longer drawn from the heart, for the soul was
quickly depleting from the long lesson in abiding. Patience ebbed and energy
was tested in long nights of practicing daily self-discipline; the mind was
doubting often and the heart was feeling less adventuresome. Confidence and
excitement were replaced with the focus of how to be stayed.
By
the beginning of the year, everything had changed yet again. “The Closure”
greeted quickly and was more abrupt than the previous two had been. A change in
living space and leadership responsibilities threw the dynamics of daily life
and the need for cadence together. The end seemed foreboding of loneliness and
overwhelming responsibility. And in truth, it was just that. Stress within the
confines of both limited resources and time available was a dangerous mix
bordering on the verge of emotional insanity and upheaval. Doubt no longer had
time to subsist and so left behind only the hope of a well-ended journey.
Though weariness was present, there was still a need to be focused on yet
another transition.
Transition
is by definition a shift, a change, an alteration. But this move will not be typical.
This transition will involve a binary effort – a going back while moving
forward. Ironic that closure should involve both procession of time and progressive
movement. But all is to the end of finding the finish is at the beginning where
the adventure began. In a week, the 6 months will find its end. The trip will
be left in the past with all its times and hopes un-deferred, trapped in memory.
And the traveler will go home, to rest. And then, in the future, in a time known
only to One, another story will begin, “One
day, a traveler walked into an adventure…”
