Author: Sherry Boatright

On a crisp, sunny, late Winter day, a circle of men and women gathered together in Greensboro, NC (USA) to explore Life Cycle Living, a model for the human journey from birth to death.  Facilitated by Sherry Boatright and Larry Messerman, the 1-1/2 day discovery process allowed those present to share yearnings, revelations, questions and concerns toward achieving fulfillment in each stage of life, with the good of community and culture as the ultimate goal. What are the different stages of a human life?  What is the work of each stage?  What is the gift? And what does it feel like when a group of humans – a family, a village, a People – helps to create the container within which each individual is supported through the many seasons of his or her life?

What does it feel like when a group of humans – a family, a village, a People – helps to create the container within which each individual is supported through the many seasons of his or her life?

The Life Cycle Living model describes predictable stages of a human life, each building on those that come before.  Not so long ago, people were supported by the traditions, ceremonies and rituals of their community in order to successfully navigate life.  It was recognized that the successful completion of any given phase of a human life would provide the foundation for the next, and that a community was enriched when each man, woman and child could learn, grow and manifest the gifts inherent in each.  For instance, the toddler offers his innocent joy and the young child her wonder at the natural world.  In the presence of children, adults can remember these same capacities even as they move into the more “serious” work that is part of later stages in life.  Ultimately, the accomplished elder embodies gifts of wholeness and grace for the benefit of community as well as of the world.  It is not surprising that in many indigenous cultures, one of the most important tasks was to create a strong connection between the youngest and the oldest members of the community.  This was seen as vital to creating a strong container for all other human endeavors.