CONNECTING TO LIFE'S PASSAGES

Most of us, given the choice, would probably prefer to have lives with enough variety in them to make them interesting, but not so full of unexpected events that our lives are full of confusion and unpredictability. 

Life at various points requires that we do a variety of things as members of a family, community and of society. Although, the expectations of our society prevent untrammelled freedom on our part, they provide most of us with a place in the society around us and some degree of personal satisfaction.

In the course of our lives each of us will play various roles. We might at some point be a student, employee, friend, partner or a parent. Many of these steps are a passage, out from one stage in our lives into another. Each requires some flexibility and adaptation to the requirements and obligations we have taken on. 

For example, we go to school and get an education usually while most of us are living with families that accept us and care for us. The student who does not study, likely will not pass their courses. They might also be unable to develop the knowledge or skills they require to do something they would like to do.

Later most of us must find a job so that we can support ourselves. The employee who can't or won't do their job, usually disappoints others who are depending upon them. They will eventually be asked to leave.

Most of us use some of our time to mingle with and meet other people. Eventually we develop a circle of friends with interests similar to our own. If you want friends, you must be prepared to be a friend and share your time and energy with other people.

Some of us find partners. If you want a partner, you will most likely have to show some flexibility towards each other so that both of you can meet your personal wants and needs and your goals together as a couple.

Many people raise a family of their own. To raise children, cooperation with a partner is necessary, as is an understanding that you have someone dependent upon you to take care of them.

Whatever the stage of our lives and the obligations it involves, having a realistic understanding of what is expected of us and knowing what we hope to achieve as a result of our efforts, helps us to be successful at whatever we do.

Satisfaction and success come from finding something that you like, using the innate abilities you have, the skills you have acquired through education and/or practical experience, and doing something that you like well.

This is the way that each stage of our lives can be both interesting and have enough variety to give us both some challenges and some satisfaction.