April 2023 - Switzerland
Spring is here.
Again.
And I was struck by the realization that the start of my 8-month sabbatical was exactly a year ago.
A year.
Another cycle, just like the seasons.
The Cycles of our planet
Living in central Europe helped me to realize how cyclical nature is.
Spring with all the early blooming trees and flowers, the sudden rain and hail storms.
The hot summers with days, the long evenings with a cooling glass of wine, the markets filled with fresh vegetables and fruits.
The sound of Autumn leaves below my shoes, the cities below the persistent fog layers, pumpkins, and roasted chestnuts.
In winter, when the snow lies in the mountains, and humans get by on mold wine, christmas cookies and cheese fondue.
Trees communicate with each other through complex root systems.
How bees are important elements of our ecosystems.
The primary rainforest and ice capes balance the climate.
The Cycles in human bodies
Whether we admit it or not, humans are also linked and part of these cycles of nature.
Imagine the euphoric days of wearing shorts (too early) in Spring.
The bodies that struggle to sit in heated (no-aircon) offices in Summer.
And then the first Autumn day when you wear woolen socks again.
Remember the incredible amount of sleep we need in winter.
We know that the female cycle syncs with the moon cycle.
We admire the boundless energy we have as children.
And we bow to the calm aura of an elder.
We realize that all that starts will have an end.
Cycles in society
We saw changes in the political and societal systems of nations, kingdoms, and tribes.
Of technology adoptions or ways how we are supposed to raise children.
And even in business, long before Circular Economy (finally but slowly) became a business rationale, there were cycles—the up and down of companies, stock exchanges, and management trends.
It‘s all meant to be
So, how about we pause for a minute, look around in joyful wonder, and acknowledge all these cycles closely linked?
Accept the winter tiredness of our bodies, the need for rain in Spring for nature to bloom again, and the low-energy days of moon cycles that prepare female bodies to bring new life into this world.
Let‘s use this knowledge to collaborate, help the planet regenerate, and be kind to ourselves.
To cherish all the highs of our lives, nurture our lows, and accept that we are all elements of a highly complex and tightly synced network of circles of lives on our planet.
Because each of us, with our actions, thoughts and behavior, may create a small ripple effect, way beyond our imagination.