When we blow up a balloon, we use a little trick. We “constrict” the neck of the balloon so that we get to pause, take another breath and fill it up some more.
All the balloon sees is expansion.
Ecosystems and animals (including humans) are a little different. We work on cycles. The expansion and the contraction.
The cycle to expand: to push forward, create work and cover new ground – and then to contract: come back to centre, to rest and recover, is reflected universally – in seasons, circadian rhythm and sleep/wake cycles for almost all animals.
Less of a theory and more of a law, this is a big one to realise, because there’s really no escape.
Where it gets confusing though, is when our environment becomes mechanical.
When we are surrounded by a bunch of people (or corporation) pretending to be balloons. Where we’ve de-humanised the situation enough that continual expansion “appears” to be the norm.
It’s easy to get confused, to “mirror” or get caught up in the frenzy.
But when the fatigue hits once again, and the contraction cycle shows up, whether it’s welcome or not, we can smile at the gentle reminder we are still human.
(What does it look like to humanise the situation from the beginning?)
