Life is Like a Suitcase
We are born – we die! This is the simplicity of life and the only one thing that every human being on this planet shares.
What happens in between those two events is unique for each one of us. Being born into affluence we may begin life with a beautifully crafted suitcase. Well made with a hard shell to protect us from harm. Or we may be born into a vastly different environment with a suitcase that is soft sided and torn with busted zippers, leaving us vulnerable.
As young children we have very few choices. We are told what time to go to bed, what to wear, what to eat and often, how to behave. Before the age of 7 our world has been strongly impressed upon us by our experiences and those around us. Our suitcases are packed and unpacked by others. Sometimes we are delighted with what has been packed for us, other times we feel dissatisfied with what is placed in our suitcase. Most parents have the best intentions for their children (sometimes even based on how they were raised) however, somewhere along the journey of life messages get mixed up and we develop the desire to pack and unpack our own “stuff.”
This is called being independent. It happens at different times in different ways for each of us. We may find we are ill prepared for the consequences that we have created by not packing the right “stuff.” This is called growth. Next time we will pack what we need and make sure we check it twice!
However, there is a likelihood for each one of us to leave some “items” behind in our suitcase. After a few different “trips” we find ourselves malcontent as we attempt to sit on top of the suitcase and force the zipper shut. Even though we get that zipper shut, we experience it busting open as it arrives on the luggage ramp and our belongings are splayed everywhere for all to see.
And what humiliation we suffer. Why did I pack so much? I didn’t need this, it’s extra dead weight! It is weighing me down AND I had to pay extra. That’s ok, I’ll remove it all and pack differently next time. I will only take what I absolutely need. Until next time approaches and we find ourselves repeating the same pattern. And justifying that pattern. “I’ll take this in case this happens” and “What if” – “I can’t be unprepared!”
Lesson being – we can’t possibly prepare for every scenario in life. The harder we work at controlling everything around us, the more exhausting life becomes. When we are exhausted, we leave no energy for “thought monitoring” – to ask ourselves the important questions to come out of the past and into the present. The only way to create a future with more peace and joy is to be completely present now.
There is much in life we have no control over. BUT, we have control over how we navigate the situations that we have no control over. All the rest, we create, we get to choose! And when asked if you packed your own suitcase, you could stand proud and say yes! Only bring what you need in the moment to learn thrive, grow and transcend. There is no going back! Enjoy your journey.