The Element of Fire

We live in a world on fire. There seems to be fires everywhere we look some days. It can be exhausting, overwhelming and incredibly intense.

Fire is a necessary part of life, as is earth, air and water. When I speak of the elements, yes I mean them literally, but also figuratively. Fire is the heat of life, the energy that creates action and passion within. Earth is the grounding force that keeps us rooted to our selves and our community. Air is the intellectual wind that drives curiosity and exploration. Water is the cooling balm that allows a steady flow forward.

Without balance between each element, chaos erupts. We have been living in a world overrun by fire for many years now. The intensity of our lives is forcing passionate action unchecked by anything else. In theory, fire is not bad, but when out of control, fire is devastating to anything in its path. I sense that we are becoming engulfed in flames of our own creation.

Many of us are standing in fires of our own design right now. This is not a calling out of anyone, more of a calling in. In a way, it seems unavoidable. Everywhere we look, we are encouraged to light ourselves on fire. We are told we have to be doing more of everything, diving into our passions, staying busy at all times and consuming everything we possibly can. Fire is the element that drives all of these pursuits.

The terrifying thing about fire is, as it grows, it becomes more powerful and more difficult to control. It needs constant fuel to sustain itself as it takes over everything it touches. At some point, we seem to diverge in one of two directions. Either we quit fueling the fire, let it burn out and begin to stumble through the smoldering remains trying to find a better relationship with fire. Or we consciously or unconsciously begin to devote our entire lives to fanning the flames because we are so afraid of the darkness and destruction that comes after the fire.

My guess is most of you have lived through the sensations of both of the above. The first, what has been labeled as burnout, has become an incredibly common phrase we hear. It’s a terrible place to be but also can lead to the most beautiful growth when we surrender to its teachings. The second is not often acknowledged because again, our culture encourages this coping mechanism. But it is equally destructive and painful and often dead ends into burnout eventually.

But what if there is a third direction we can travel? A direction that allows us to respect the power of fire while also finding ways to balance and control it in a sense.

The first two directions point to fire as the problem. It creates an identity of “bad” or harmful around any sort of flame. But again, fire is an absolutely necessary part of life. Without a strong fire burning within, we can feel stagnant, unmotivated and exhausted. Extinguishing the flames is not the goal. The key is to learn to live with the fire, not in the fire.

So how do we keep the flames burning brightly within, without the flames consuming us? Perhaps it comes down to knowing the difference between helpful and harmful fuel. Fire needs fuel to sustain itself and is often indiscriminate in what it uses. But we can choose what we toss to the fire every day.

Let’s focus less on the chaos of the flames and more on the control we have over what we place in its path. Let’s feed our fire with gentleness, trust and compassionate actions. Let’s stop throwing ourselves sacrificially on the flames waiting until we either burn up or get used to the heat.

A fire sustainably fueled is a controlled fire. It burns bright when necessary, like through the cold and dark nights of winter, but can also be tamed easily when time calls for it. So what is this sustainable fuel source?

That I do not know. That is the work for each of us; to seek what sustainably fuels our own fire. What kindles my fire gently, may become destructive in yours. There is no right answer, only curiosity.

I’m humbly sitting here in a fire of my own, searching for a way to live with my fire rather than in it. This may be the best answer I have found as to why I have chosen to take this year off. It is becoming a year of perpetually searching for balance.

A few months in and I’m still seeking for that elusive balance but curiosity is leading me in beautiful directions.