A Message from our Minister

“Bouncing Back = Failing Forward”

Dear Holy Ones,

Systems theory teaches that all living systems go through a continuous and ongoing process called the Adaptive Cycle.  This cycle is a four-part process where the constituent life cycle phases are called Exploitation, Conservation, Release, and Reorganization.  Resources are exploited to grow, then resources are conserved to maintain balance, then a point is reached where the accumulated resources are used up or relationships within the ecosystem change, and the system releases equilibrium (or fails!) and then reorganizes itself.  All living things go through this continuing resurrection process. If a system can’t reorganize to once again exploit resources, then it dies. The very state of being alive requires failure and bouncing back.  

Resilience theory studies why and how some systems release, fail, and bounce back and reorganize while others release, fail,  and die. In order to develop resilience, a system must become aware that failure is part of the adaptive cycle. It’s natural and will happen over and over. A resilient system sees failure as part of learning. And thus adopts change as a spiritual practice, an intentional discipline, rather than something to fear.  Risk, adventure, change, and even failure need to be a regular part of the journey of life because the only alternative is to die. Failing in order to learn and grow is failing foward into a future of new growth.  Failing forward looks like bouncing back. Why do some things bounce back? How do some people keep going? We’ll be reflecting on this throughout the month. Join us on the adventure.  

Blessings,

Rev. Tony