Rotationism

Not entirely sure how this rambling thought will go as a philosophy on life in general, but fingers crossed it's at least interesting.

Rotationism is something I'm making up as I go along, but I like to think of life as a wheel. A journey which goes in repetitious phases. When you're at the top of the wheel, everything is going well, and you're generally enjoying yourself. This phases lasts a decent amount of time, before you pick up speed heading towards the darker side of life. You quickly pass through a phase of general averageness, before plateauing at a base level.

From this base level, you begin to lose speed, climbing ever more slowly towards the top of the spin. You'll get closer and closer to the peak of happiness, before starting the downward journey again.

Naturally, you're usually experiencing the effects of several spins at once, all of which are running at a different period. Some cycles, like daily mood changes, happen relatively quickly. Others, like life in general, will happen over a much longer period of time. The cumulative effect of these can result in some super-happy phases, a lot of 'not bad but not good' phases, and the occasional low point.

Of course, you could argue that rotationism implies each of us is simply 'waiting our turn' for the various opportunities and disappointments life gives out. As someone is done with a particular feeling or emotion, it gets passed along for the next person to use. Now there's a thought. Think you're the happiest/saddest/loneliest/prettiest person on earth? Sorry, someone else has been there before, you're just having your turn with that emotion.

Or maybe rotationism means that we collectively need to be in balance, in order for our lives to run true. That the good needs to be balanced by the bad, the happy by the sad, the sane by the mad.

But if we're all striving to achieve the best possible place on the wheel, what about those who get left in the bearings, or are too busy clinging on to the spokes to worry about getting a better position. Or even those who don't want to move from their comfy spot inside the rim, and are happy to go around with the same outlook again and again.

I think rotationism means we're usually flying around too fast to notice the tracks we're leaving, or the ground we're covering. That small rock you just bounced over, there's a whole world of things going on under there, if only there were time to look. And that deep rut you've worn into the path? That's caused massive problems for untold beings. The possum that won't cross the line because of the smell, or the bushwalker who would otherwise have died without your track to follow.

Whatever your view, remember to apply the brakes gently, increase the work rate when needed, and take time out occasionally.

Day 54 - Photo 54
(pre)Rinse