The Art of The End

There is an art to a beautiful ending, a conclusion that reeks of grace and does not hide its face in pointless denial. An elegant farewell that bows low to what once was but shall not - and quite possibly should not - be again. A final goodbye properly done allows us to turn our face to the new and probably wonderful chapter ready to commence, without dragging the bloodied tendrils of the last one behind us.

Acknowledging that something has run its course, that a relationship has soured or is not working, that a situation has become untenable is the first step. The fork in the road comes next, where you can choose to walk forward or circle back around in delusion. When you do take the brave step and deep breaths required for the former, the ending is unavoidable and must be enacted. It is here that our fears leap to the front of stage. If we indulge them we will search desperately for a way to avoid the conflict and tears that we inevitably associate with goodbye. We might choke. Backflip away from ourselves. Drag our feet and shuffle in reverse with our bottom lip trembling at how close we came.

It doesn't have to be this way. Farewells may be bittersweet but that pang lets you know that once upon a time, before you felt the way you do now, you really loved. Truly. Wholly. With good reason and no reason all at once.

Pack your bags this dark moon. Fill them with integrity and what is true for you right now, once you have decided to leave your rose coloured glasses on the bedside table. Wrap yourself in grace and respect. Fold dignity into your every word and let artless accusation and finger pointing fester in the corner of the room that you choose now to leave.

The eclipse is half a week away. Clear the decks, do it well and for the right reasons - chief of which is you. Count yourself lucky that you had something once that is so hard to say goodbye to now and take a long last look around before you firmly shut the door behind you.

If you're brave enough to say goodbye life will reward you with a new hello.
~ Paul Coelho

Words C. Kerrie Basha, 2025