Before the Beginning Comes the End

"A new beginning cannot happen unless what precedes it first comes to an end." --Ryan Healy

It seems obvious that a new beginning follows the end of something else. And yet when you contemplate what this really means, you'll find it is more complicated than it appears.

For instance:

• Marriage marks the end of being single
• Self-employment marks the end of having a job
• A new home marks the end of living in the old one

In some cases, you may experience joy at witnessing the end. It is almost always a happy time to leave a job. But in other cases, the end is more painful. Like moving. When you leave a house in which you've created happy memories, it is hard to leave, even if it means going to a nicer home.

It is easy to say, "Keep moving forward." Yet it is difficult not to look back. To become sentimental about certain times in your life.

But here's something else to consider.

Sometimes "endings" are much bigger and more painful. For instance, the pilgrims who came to America had to end their existence in England before they could journey to the new country.

The aftershocks lasted for centuries.

Likewise, if there is ever to be a new "America," we will witness the end of the current world order. What comes may be better than what is, but the death of the old and the birth of the new will not be without its unique pain and turmoil.

Only those who persevere through the end will see the glory of the new beginning.

Comments

[brainteaser]

Very insightful. Well said. :-)