WHEN I first heard that an established mall/department store here in Dumaguete was closing down for good, I didn’t believe it. I didn’t believe it because, for one thing, I know how fake news can easily circulate. I just considered it a rumor. Another reason why I didn’t believe it was because this mall has been with us for decades and I couldn’t imagine it closing its doors to thousands of consumers who flocked the mall.
But it did close down. And suddenly realization dawned on me – everything really has an end.
Everything has an end
In the vastness of life, endings are as inevitable as the changing seasons. From the setting sun to the falling autumn leaves, every conclusion carries with it a bittersweet melody, resonating with the echoes of what once was and the anticipation of what is yet to come. It’s a universal truth we all must confront: everything has an end. Yet, within this realization lies a profound wisdom—that endings are not just the closing of one chapter but the opening of another, that where one door closes, another is bound to open.
The cyclical nature of life mirrors the rhythm of the universe itself—a constant flux of birth, growth, decline, and renewal. In times of transition, when the familiar begins to fade and uncertainty looms on the horizon, it’s easy to succumb to feelings of loss and apprehension. But embedded within the fabric of existence is the promise of renewal, the assurance that every ending paves the way for a new beginning.
A timeless truth
In the sacred texts of the Bible, we find echoes of this timeless truth, woven into the narratives of faith and redemption. In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, we are reminded of the ebb and flow of life, where every season has its appointed time:
“To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace.”
These verses capture the essence of life’s journey—an assortment of experiences, each with its significance and purpose. Just as the seasons transition seamlessly from one to the next, so too do our lives unfold in a series of endings and beginnings, each offering the opportunity for growth and renewal.
In the Gospel of John, we find solace in the words of Jesus, who assures us of the transformative power of endings and new beginnings:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” (John 12:24)
Here, Jesus speaks of the paradoxical nature of endings—that in the surrendering of the old, new life emerges. Like a seed planted in the fertile soil, our endings give way to new beginnings, birthing opportunities for growth, resilience, and transformation.
As we navigate the inevitable endings in our lives, whether it be the closing of a chapter, the loss of a loved one, or the end of a cherished dream, may we find comfort in the promise of renewal. Just as the dawn follows the darkness of night, so too will new opportunities and blessings arise from the ashes of our endings.
In embracing the cyclical nature of life, we discover the beauty of impermanence—the knowledge that nothing lasts forever, but that every ending holds the seeds of a new beginning. And so, let us embrace each ending with gratitude and hope, knowing that in the immensity of life, every farewell is but a prelude to another hello.
