The Cycles of Life

Life is cyclical and consists of unforeseen events. It's like a roller coaster of events due to external factors inherent in our will. And also for the choices and decisions we make. Some of these events are insignificant, and others are quite memorable. In a way, everything that happens surrounds us impacts our life, our destiny, positively or negatively, with dark or light intensity.

When the events are favorable, in a high level of positive energy, then the cycle consists of great times, happiness, prosperity and luck. Hence, no one will suffer from it, and so do not pay much attention to the reasons that led to this moment. And just a little is remembered during this cycle.

However, when it reaches the period of scarcity of happiness, wealth, health, luck and blessings, then the reasoning gets numb, and we do not understand the most of the undesired outcomes. Determined changes that occur in our life are the results of our endless search, our decisions, behaviors, and the strength of our words. On the other hand, sometimes we are taken by surprise, as in an ambush, trampling us merely in an avalanche of misfortunes.

And dealing with such changes is truly the great secret. Avoiding to settle in a comfort zone is the way to bend resiliently.

Determined events are utterly horrible and traumatic, such as experience the process of a divorce or disappointment in the loving life. Or even a bad experience such as a loss of a beloved, like a son, brother, father or mother; go through the experience of a job termination, bankrupt, or being on medical care due to a severe and aggressive disease. At last but not least, being a victim of a mugging, sexual harassment or assault, raping or kidnapping. But after facing whatever the experience, good or bad, but mostly undesirable, it is necessary to learn at least the lessons from such hard times, to understand the messages sent from such events. Make sure, they will strengthen and increase our resilience to face adversity.

Maintain serenity, calm and emotional balance to keep focused, centered and "cold blood" to make the best decisions, confer a maturity and seniority during "black clouds times," which can even save our life, no matter how painful and traumatic that can be. Furthermore, certain events are so striking that can force the people who are experiencing that, reinventing themselves completely. How to handle the transition period? It may do by understanding the process of change. As a rule, we must go through four stages: Loss, Reinvention, Revitalization, and Renaissance. No one better than the Japanese people to witness what happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, in 1945. And more recently, the earthquake in Kobi, in 1995, and a massive tsunami in the Fukushima region, a few years ago.

Stage 1 - Loss

This first phase is often the most traumatic and painful. It is the time that we can't feel the "ground," where we lose our identity, when we lose most of the friends and our self-esteem, by just having lost something so precious in life. In short, when a punch beats our liver. All that left behind will no longer be part of our current life. Everything looks like a movie in slow motion. Our mind gets dizzy because of the fear and lack of self-confidence. We get stunned, defeated, breathless, and no longer feel our legs. Indeed, it is a very tough time, and it is a mourning period, terribly hard to believe. It sounds to be a journey of no return. Usually, this period may last long and maybe can exceed one year. It is an explosion of negative feelings. We must never feel mercy for ourselves. Instead, it is the time to seek the strength somewhere to survive. It is time to rebirth from the ashes, like a Phenix.

The majority of the people resist and react to this process of change, trying to regain that life back. Certain events lead the deployment of a series of feelings that drive our mind, which in turn govern our attitudes, behaviors, actions and our words. This stage of "Loss" is shown at the end of everything, and it is very much terrifying. But any turnaround is possible to overcome. And how faster we leave the past behind, the better.

Stage 2 - Reinvention

Once the stage of "Loss" begins to dissipate, renaissance and transformation start to take place. After the pain, it's time to recompose the life. When the fact gets accomplished, that the loss is irreparable, then the questions begin to arise: Who will be my life from now? Why did this happen to me? What will be my future and what has been waiting for me? What do I need to do to rebirth from the ashes? Once the storm passes and things settle down, it's time to look for ways to rebuild a new destination. The most important aspect is that this process is continuous, it is critical to monitor the happenings in our life, watch out our thoughts, tongue, behaviors, and attitudes. Only then we left the "cruise control mode" and the "comfort zone", which sometimes is the perfect excuse for those times when we are accommodated or even powerless to react. At this stage, it is time to repave life and establish an action plan. Keep alert!

Step 3 - Revitalization

The plans must put in practice from now. Every restart is difficult, the effort is great and must continuously monitor deviations. It is also imperative to breathe fresh air, take a trip, meet new people, and above all, create healthy new habits, values and ties. It's time to approach individuals who can make a big difference in our lives.

Step 4 - Renaissance

And finally, it's time to measure the results and make some route corrections, remembering that any entrepreneurial initiative involving financial support should be well planned through a business plan. If a decision is to transition careers, then this effort should be evaluated very well the career paths to be selected. Either way, the support of a professional is always recommended, such as a financial advisor and a "career coaching" for this case. And a psychoanalyst, psychologist, and psychiatrist for emotional and psychological issues, in cases of traumatic experiences. The way is to surround yourself with people who can provide the right support for the different events. And of course, trust in God.