Bear

Birth

The beginning of life is so like the end. There is nothing - no emotion, no feeling.

Contemplation

Upon awakening to the world, there is contemplation. Almost a sad misery permeates this stage, as the complexity of the task at hand is evident. There may be hope, and that spark of insight is visible.

Ponderance

And yet... how to overcome the adversity at hand? Admiration for the challenge, weariness before the labors even begin... but there will be progress.

Productivity

A sense of wonder and amazment takes hold for the moment. Things are happening! There are places to go and there are things to see, and everything is part of the grand scheme!

Inevitable failure

It cannot last. Failure seeps in. Disappointment, perhaps - but that doesn't capture the sinking, soul-wrenching depression that comes with the devastation of all effort and the abysmal realization that all things - regardless of how perfect - are doomed to inevitable failure.

Repose

It is all too much like the beginning, but it is the end. Acceptance? Perhaps. It doesn't even matter - fate marches forward either way.