Life is a Circus!
How many times have you thought 'my life / workplace/ home feels like it is a circus act?'
One minute you’re laughing, the next holding your breath. At other times you’re rushing to your seat so you don’t miss out.
Another moment, your eyes are wide open as air escapes from between your lips with wonder! Could be you witnessed an ordinary person do something extraordinary or a child walk for the first time, and you were moved.
What about you? Have you ever felt that you are all at once, animal feeder, money changer, ticket seller, transport coordinator, freak show, character in the crazy mirror, crowd controller, promoter, grounds maintenance guy, acrobat, elephant tamer, beverage lady, juggler, and ... trapeze artist?
Maybe it's just me? Plenty of people I connect with comment on how frantic life seems to have become and how intentional we have to be now not to become overwhelmed by the busyness of life. Still it remains, just like in the circus we're completing obstacle, defying acts daily as the 'show must go on'.
Consider Jessica Watson, Australian solo yatchsman who had a dream to become the youngest girl to circum-navigate the world? She has been amazing to watch. Courage, tenacity, practice, practice, preparation and ...boring food towards the end.
The world is full of people taking risks, thrilling us, mystifying us with how they seemingly do 'it' all – whatever ‘it’ is!
Who are these people? Is it you? What’s the attraction? What’s the downside? Does a circus get repeat business? Are you in business? What does your 'act' say about you? What TYPE of circus are you? Old school? cirque de soleil?
Are you the ‘ringmaster’ of your life or are you blown about by circumstance? Would people look at you and your act and describe you as a circus?
Who Do YOU Identify With in the Old Circus Model?
We begin examining the first in a series of traditional circus roles. Do you identify with the:
Animal feeder:
Maintaining the wellbeing of animals in your care; all aspects of hygiene; cleanliness. Hey it actually sounds like being a parent:chief cook and bottle washer! Is that you? Do you feel it’s just work home, work home?
From the armed services to the service line at your local takeaway, favourite restaurant to the familiar smell of your mum’s kitchen and dad’s weekend BBQ. Let’s face it we need to eat but when I speak to most parents, particularly mums, we have all agreed that at some time if anyone were to ask us again what was for dinner a neurotic meltdown could occur!
It can be true that we take life into our own hands when we forage for food at our local supermarket.
Harsher examples however, have been seen in Haiti after the earthquake; the power being off for days and weeks after New Orleans, cyclonic storms and flooding on massive scale throughout the greater part of Australia’s Queensland regional communities and coastal cities, volcanic ash from Iceland and travelers isolated across the world as international airlines lose millions of dollars everyday! Ordinary human beings faced with the simple truth of finding food and feeding the beast.
In the west we face a burden of gluttony. We feast on things like caged animals with shopping malls hosting line upon line of fast food alternatives. What are you feeding yourself and others? Is it gluttony? Pause, reflect, give thanks for the accessability you have to food, but choose wisely and care for those in your charge responsibly.
Question: When’s the last time you saw a doctor for a complete physical? Maybe it’s time you did.
Action: Schedule a medical. Check on your full bloods including pH levels. Too acidic? Too alkaline? Overweight yet undernourished? Under the guidance of your medical practitioner perhaps it’s time to give your body some breathing space. Consider changing the type and quantity of your food to something more healthy. Consider fasting for a period of time. Record how you feel after giving up for a period of time - coffee, tea, soft drinks, donuts, red meat. Journal the effects and change your lifestyle.
Maybe you'll cease to see yourself as the animal feeder and find some pleasure in enjoying the company of others over a meal. Make a commitment to treat someone this week.
Maybe you’ll experience a circus ‘Ta-dah” feeling!
Next Blog My Life is A Circus continues: Are you the Money Changer?
