| dec 03 2009 | | 4 Ages of Man. | The life of a man can be compared to a fire. If you assume there is a finite fuel source then the length of time the fire will last is determined by outside elements. We all have a finite supply of fuel and it will run out. Some people desperately try to hang onto life thinking they can avoid death. This is foolishness.
Like our life the fire starts with a spark. Whether it ignites depends very much on the conditions at the time. If it's too wet, too windy, too cold, etc it ain't going to happen. Even if the spark takes those early moments are crucial as the flame precariously hangs in the balance. If the conditions are right and the fuel is fed at the right size at the right time the fire consolidates.
As more fuel is added the fire reacts like a youth. Lots of energy and heat. Dancing flames shoot up energetically and wastefully. Lots of noise, crackling and sparking. A greed and a hunger to grow bigger. An urgency to expand and fill a bigger space. Fires like this can get out of control.
As with middle age the more mature fire has reached a comforting stage where it gives the maximum productivity for the minimum amount of energy. This is a fire that gives cheer with no chance of flaring up and scorching you.
Finally the fire reaches old age and all that's left are the embers. These can burn for a considerable time although best left without continual poking. I find that particularly irritating. Sometimes the embers burn down quickly and are gone. Again it all depends on the conditions around the fire.
So protect your fire and understand that it is there to light and warm those around you. Don't squander your fuel on a display of brilliance to impress, or be miserly so you are constantly in danger of being snuffed out. Be aware that it can rain and that we have no control over the elements. Come on baby light my fire.
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