Impermanence of Ingress

Although most of the details have been lost to the fog of time I can still recall the feeling of capturing my first portal.  I remember using dozens of low level bursters to destroy my enemies resonators and when that first resonator was destroyed and ADA told me "Resonator Destroyed, Good Work" I felt an immense sense of pride.  To this day I still feel a sense of accomplishment when ADA commends me for a job well done.

After capturing that first portal I felt a sense of ownership for that Post Office, for that portal.  It was a mile from my house and it belonged to me.  I was committed to keeping that portal blue no matter the costs.  It was that feeling of ownership and the feeling of pride that the portal belonged to me.  Everyone could see on intel that it belonged to me.

I can remember even more vividly the feeling of anger and despair that came over me the first time one of my portals was taken.   Why was this unknown person stealing something that belonged to me? How had I failed to keep this thing I felt was precious and valuable safe.  Of course in those days there was no recharging there was no notification of attack there was simply a notification that the portal was no longer mine.  I was distressed and immediately felt the need to run out of the house and re-take what was rightfully mine.

I received that first destruction notice 1 year 4 months and 27 days ago and since then I have received 10s of thousands of destruction notices.

Over time I've come to have a great sense of appreciation for destruction notices.  The sense of anger and anguish gave way to a feeling of acceptance that it is what it is, to a feeling of delight and happiness when the destruction "song of my people" rings out at all hours of the day and night.

That sound that at one time only rang of destruction now represents death and re-birth and reminds me that nothing in life is permanent.  When I hear that sound I get a smile on my face, because I hope that the person who is triggering those notifications get's the same sense of glee I get when I hear the sound of resonators being destroyed.  I smile because it means that someone else on my faction or the other faction will now get to own that portal and the cycle continues.

Of the many life lessons that Ingress has helped me learn the idea of impermanence has been one of the most important.  Nothing is forever, nothing is permanent and holding on to anything good or bad is an attempt to control something that is beyond my ability.   Realizing it and accepting  it has helped me find a peace I never knew possible.