By Bertina Lyngdoh
Life is short and few would reach the age of 80 years, especially with today’s generation.
There are four seasons in a year, akin to the four stages of human life. The four seasons in a year – spring, summer, autumn, and winter – keep revolving, however, when looking at the four stages of human life – childhood, adolescence (or teenage), adulthood (or mature age), and old age, is in a contradictory manner. This is because of man’s sinful nature. Mother Nature has given a man, with its beauty through the four seasons experienced in a year; that man should learn to live with what nature ponders on him. Just like the beauty of its four seasons remains unbroken or changed, so it is with man and the eternal cycle of life and death.
Human life on earth would have been impossible and meaningless without the amazing gifts of Mother Nature. What is life without the blooming of flowers, trees, leaves, chirping of birds, cascading waterfall, and other beautiful creations?
The imbalance of nature leads to natural disasters, causing widespread destruction that includes earthquakes, global warming, floods and drastic climate change. The same is with the imbalance in the life of a man facing unavoidable circumstances like starvation, futility, challenges, poor health, and poverty, to name a few.
Once born, it is inevitable to abstain oneself from suffering and challenges that are of this world.
Spring is the first season of the year with flowers blooming, the grass growing green, and birds singing. So it is with a man during his childhood days – free from many obstacles that come along the way – with parents, guardians, caretakers or family members being responsible for his needs revolving around food, clothing, shelter, toys, and health. His life is luxurious, happy and certainly beautiful.
When summer arrives, there is a change in nature, similar to the human experience of reaching adolescence.
Many places in India or even the state of Meghalaya have waterfalls, and their beauty captures the imagination of man, particularly tourists across the globe. The beauty of seasons gives joy and happiness to man, compelling toward the preservation of the natural world. Yet, this season is contradictory when it comes to man. His mind is unstable, and difficult to control. Coupled with this, are temptations and behavioural changes.
The thunder and cyclones that unfold are similar to teenage angst, frustration and stubbornness – a time when parents or caretakers steer the child to grow in a positive direction.
Autumn is when trees shed their leaves. Water dries up, a signal of the approaching winter season. In a man’s life, this reflects maturity – he learns to let go, flow with changes and accept life the way it is. A greater commitment, mental strength and a marked determination toward work characterise this chapter of life. In this phase, there is a preparation for old age and learning values of patience, compassion and forgiveness,
Then comes the last season of the year, which is winter. Everything dries up, the weather is cold and gloomy; the night is long and the day is short. This is old age, characterised by rest from work and worry. Various diseases become a part of life and the sad truth is the wait to embrace eventual death. Despite the knowledge of its inevitability, the human race may not want to face this stage in life.
Therefore, every season has its lessons for man, for he has to go through the four stages of life as well. Every season has its beauty; hence, every stage of human life makes for a lively experience.
The natural world teaches us to accept what comes our way and to have no regrets. In life, we experience joy, tragedy, failures, success, jealousy – a whole range of emotions. This circle of life helps us to understand the meaning of life.