The cycle of life (Riga, Latvia)

Sitting in an airport cafe, watching the stream of tangueros walk past me on their way home, i find myself thinking about the natural evolution of everything in life. When the conditions are favourable and the mood positive, expansion and growth can be rapid. At the same time, the emotions felt make the experience deeper and the memories stronger, and this creates a positive loop that feeds even more meaningful encounters. The atmosphere of joy, trust and openness pulls more and more people in, and for a brief moment in time, it seems that everything is possible.

But perhaps it is inevitable that after a peak there is always a decline. It may be experienced in the depth of emotions, in the intensity of sensations, or in the meaning that one assigns to interaction with others. Where one previously saw only beauty and harmony, one now notices cracks and dents that although not serious, make one ask oneself what has changed. Most importantly, one starts to drift further to the perimeter, becoming more an observer than an active participant.

Fundamentally, i believe this evolution is just as it should be, for without it, we would become trapped in endless repetition. Realising that something has come to its conclusion can be strangely comforting. Instead of being violently torn away from something important, letting go peacefully and calmly feels just right.

Just like in nature, the eternal circle of life will fill the void left by something that once meant the world to you. And just as importantly, others will be able to experience the same joy that you once felt while discovering it.

In the forest, when a tree falls, others will rapidly take its place.