We celebrate starting and struggle with finishing.
Then life reveals its surprise:
A worthy finish is often another beginning wearing different clothes.
Being a natural multitasker, I am very aware of what I start—and equally aware of finishing what I started.
Even if only one item is in front of me, I want to complete it.
I need little prompting, pushing or coercing to engage the system operating within me.
Add an incentive?
Even better—but not necessary.
Here is why.
THE CYCLE OF LIFE
Beginnings and endings were at work long before we arrived.
Morning begins and finishes.
Seasons arrive and leave.
Plants emerge, mature, release seeds and return to the earth.
We are introduced to this cycle throughout our brief journey here.
I joined it.
It joined me.
Mystery indeed.
Do we start only to finish?
THERE IS NO FINISH—THE PARADOX
Finishing contains a surprise.
When one cycle completes, something else often begins:
A lesson finishes and practice begins.
A job ends and reflection begins.
A child grows up and the parenting relationship changes.
A book is completed and begins its journey toward the reader.
The original purpose may conclude while another purpose quietly reports for duty.
WORTHY NOTE
Here we catch a glimpse of forever:
Beginning.
Completion.
Renewal.
Repeat.
BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING
Some questions have followed humanity throughout history:
- Which came first—the chicken or the egg?
- How did the first forms of life begin?
- How did cosmic and earthly cycles develop?
- Why does life continually adapt, reproduce and continue?
Science investigates mechanisms through evidence. Philosophy examines meaning. Faith reaches toward purpose and the Creator.
Each may illuminate part of the mystery.
Not every answer has finished arriving.
SYSTEMS CONTINUE—CONTRIBUTORS CHANGE
We each receive a turn within systems that began before us and may continue after us.
Family.
Community.
Faith.
Work.
Knowledge.
Nature.
Some contributions become visible and celebrated. Others remain anonymous.
But the supposedly insignificant often supports what appears significant.
A bridge depends upon bolts nobody notices.
A book depends upon words nobody applauds separately.
A life depends upon thousands of ordinary acts.
WHAT IS OUR PART?
“Someone tell me—I want to know!”
Humanity has repeated that request throughout recorded history.
We possess consciousness, curiosity and the ability to examine our purpose.
Pain and random trouble are real parts of earthly life. They are not proof that life lacks meaning.
Purpose is not always handed to us as a complete instruction manual.
Sometimes it is discovered while participating.
IN ALL FAIRNESS
What if someone does not believe in God, creation or divine purpose?
They still encounter the great questions:
Why am I here?
What makes a good life?
What responsibility do I have toward others?
What continues after my contribution ends?
People approach these questions through faith, science, philosophy, experience or combinations of them.
We may disagree without disrespecting the seeker.
Questions remain.
So does the invitation to seek answers.
SCIENCE, FAITH AND THE UNFINISHED PAGE
Science uses observation, testing and evidence to build reliable explanations.
A discovery may complete one question while beginning several more.
Researchers publish what they know so another person can continue the investigation.
Faith asks questions of meaning, purpose and relationship with the Creator.
Neither honest science nor honest faith should fear a sincere question.
The page may be unfinished.
Someone else may pick up the work.
THE SMALLER VERSION OF THE MYSTERY
Before starting something, we usually experience a “want to.”
It may arrive as:
A vision.
A need.
A prompting.
A responsibility.
A little energy called curiosity.
Then we decide whether to put personal legs on it.
The idea invites us forward, but it cannot finish itself.
We may complete it, postpone it, change it—or abandon it.
Our choices participate in the outcome.
STARTING
A start does not require complete mastery.
It requires enough courage to move from thought toward action.
Start with what you know.
Use what you have.
Learn what the next step requires.
FINISHING
Finishing means honoring the purpose of the start.
It may require discipline, adjustment and the willingness to continue after excitement leaves the building.
Finishing does not always mean achieving the original outcome.
Sometimes the honest finish is admitting:
“This direction no longer serves its purpose.”
Completion can include closure.
STARTING AGAIN
Starting again does not erase the previous attempt.
It carries forward experience.
You are not beginning from nothing.
You are beginning from what the last cycle taught you.
That is how mystery moves toward mastery.
THE INCOME—OUTCOME—ENDCOME MYSTERY
We receive an input.
We participate.
An outcome appears.
Then comes the endcome—what remains after the visible work is finished.
A lesson.
A relationship.
A consequence.
A new beginning.
We can piece together what we know or launch what we have for responsible testing.
Trial and error joins learning as we go.
Help may also appear from places we did not expect.
PAUSE FOR CAUSE
Ask yourself:
- What have I started?
- What deserves completion?
- What needs an honest ending?
- What did the last cycle teach me?
- Am I waiting for mastery before beginning?
- What new start is hiding inside this finish?
PEARLS INSIGHT
Mastery is not reaching a place where nothing more begins.
It is learning how to start, finish, learn—and start again.
RICHIE SPEAKS
Do not fear the finish.
A finish may be the doorway through which the next purpose enters.
Begin.
Participate.
Complete what is yours to complete.
Carry the lesson forward.
Then look up.
Another start is already waving at you.
— Richie
Pearls for the Soul
when you feed the soul, you feed everything.
https://pearlsforthesoul.com
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