Restraint: A Lesson from the Northern Lights

Dear friends, today I wish to share a tale from my youth, a story that taught me the value of restraint. It’s a tale that takes us to the icy landscapes of the Arctic Circle, under the mesmerizing dance of the Northern Lights.

The Journey Begins

As a young man, I was blessed with the opportunity to embark on a journey to the Arctic Circle. The primary allure was the chance to witness the Northern Lights, a spectacle I had only seen in photographs and dreamt of experiencing firsthand.

The Allure of the Aurora

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are a celestial ballet of lights, a symphony of colors that paints the night sky in hues of green, pink, and violet. The anticipation of this sight filled me with an impatience that was hard to contain.

The Lesson of Restraint

However, the Northern Lights are elusive. They don’t perform on command. They require patience, a virtue that was in short supply for me back then. I remember the first few nights, waiting in the biting cold, staring at the star-studded sky, and seeing nothing. The disappointment was palpable.

But then, I learned a valuable lesson. I realized that I was so focused on the end goal, the spectacle of the lights, that I was missing out on the journey itself. The beauty of the Arctic, the serenity of the silent nights, the camaraderie of fellow travelers – I was overlooking all these treasures in my impatience for the lights.

So, I decided to exercise restraint. I chose to enjoy the journey, to savor each moment, and to let the Northern Lights come to me in their own time.

The Reward of Restraint

And when I finally saw them, the Northern Lights were more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. But the real reward was the lesson I learned – the value of restraint, of patience, and of enjoying the journey rather than rushing towards the destination.

So, dear friends, as we navigate through life, let’s remember to exercise restraint. Let’s savor the journey, appreciate the moments, and let the Northern Lights of our lives come to us in their own time.

Until next time,

Kev