Over the weekend, wondered what are the different stages of our lives?!
Stage 1: Copy Cats
Born innocent, helpless, naive. Can’t walk, can’t talk! Wired to learn by watching, trying, mimicking others. First physical skills, then social skills. Late childhood, adopt culture, norms acceptable to avoid punishment, judgement! Adolescence brings constant search for approval, love, validation. Absence of independent thoughts, ideas, inner awareness. Cognisant of everyone’s needs, standards, expectations.
Stage 2: Self-discovery
Stage 1, we learn to fit in. In stage 2, learn what makes us different, what’s unique? Brings trials, tests to understand selves, equally others. Challenge what randomly intrigues. Inquisitive, curious about everything – physical, emotional, mental, sexual.
Involves mistakes, risks, experiments. Dreamers, lovers! Live in new places, hang out with new people, creative pursuits, different jobs, adventures. Try diverse ideas. Some work, some don’t. Till we face our limitations, boundaries. Realise we’ll be horrible at some stuff, no matter how hard we try! Learn what we suck at! Spend energy on what matters, excites. Seek limitless passion, perspectives. Self-growth, purpose, playfulness. Personality tests, self-improvement courses! Accept duality within – light, dark!
Stage 3: Promise
A promise to be the best – self reliant, empowered. Protectors, providers, creators, nurturers! Push our boundaries yet consolidate. Maximise potential, security, stability. Start building legacy. Give generously, compassionately. Share skills, talents, natural gifts. Either feel there’s not much else to accomplish or driven for new frontiers. Positively hopeful, ambitious! Daring, desirous, disastrous! Milestones, moments, reflections, relationships, material success. Curse obligations yet sensitively soar as high as possible. Bold expressions of individuality! Balancing acts on tight ropes! Believe in inner beauty, sensuality, playful kid within.
Stage 4: Legacy
Invest energy in what we believe is truly meaningful, measurable. Happy we aspired, achieved great things, worked really hard, earned all we have. Share life stories, anecdotes, nostalgic experiences, lessons, guidance with new generations. A deep knowing our lives had some value, worth. Feel free, fun-loving, liberated.
Each stage represents a re-shuffling of life’s plans, priorities. New types of experiences, emotions, fears, thoughts, challenges, possibilities. New resolve, resilience, intuitive and logical abilities. Self-development through stages is portrayed as flowery progressions from dumbass to enlightenment!
Transitions can be triggered by trauma or unexpected surprises in one’s life. Energy is limited, so we constantly re-evaluate, re-focus attention on what’s of worth, value. But, no matter how great, there’ll always be curve balls, sudden revelations, sensational surprises!
And life will go on….