Natural Cycles

How often have you pondered the cycle of life?

We observe it daily but the average person rarely contemplates the cycle. And yet everything has a natural cycle - the tides, seasons, sun, moon, even humans.

This is fresh in my mind due to trimming a shrub and replanting the garden this weekend which have become fall rituals in answer to the natural cycle of nature. Last evening the full moon rose through the clouds, natural cycle. Then my sore arm, stressed from playing music, garden work, and the contra dance, reminds me it too has a cycle that requires rest. However, we do not often consider rest a natural cycle because we live in a 24x7 world with little down time. Perhaps we should harken back to an earlier time when people did take a natural break... or was that only fiction.

Monday Sept 7th we celebrate Labor Day to commorate the end of 12 hour work days and poor labor conditions. The first celebration was September 5, 1882 in New York City to protest the work conditions (NPR article) and eventually became a national holiday to celebrate the social and economic contributions of the labor force (Dept of Labor). Regardless we now have a natural cycle holiday that resulted from the need to change the unnatural cycle of 12 hour work days.

Yes, natural cycles abound it is only for us to observe and become aware. And it is our right to replace the unnatural cycles with natural cycles. So today I challenge you to examine your life, your community, your country and replace the unnatural cycles with natural cycles.