One of the great advantages of agedness is experience. For some, this is a poisoned chalice filled with bitterness and self-recrimination. For others, it is the time to marshal one’s powers of observation and insightfulness and use these occurrences to share with others. In this way, you, potentially, assist in their own development. I would place myself in the latter camp. I have, fortunately, or unfortunately, encountered more joy and, conversely, more pain, than I ever expected would come my way in life. I was duly tested on more than one occasion. And, I contend that my life is by no means unique. All of us are scrutinized in this existence. The question is to be examined on what? We are appraised as to whether we have found our real mission in life. As Dr. Frankl tells us, to paraphrase, if you have a reason to live, you can endure any hardship. If we are at a loss, how do we find our real purpose? How do we uncover the real “calling” that we read so much about?
It requires honest commitment and diligent effort – never deviating from the belief that I do have an objective in life. I must uncover my “why” (Why am I here?) and help it unfold – whether it is large or small. It is extremely easy – perhaps the easiest — to say that life is pointless or is simply a cosmic joke (1) and hope for some celestial reward. Yes, this may be there too. But, much like all universal truths, (2) how I think, and act concretizes my earthly reality. If I verbalize that I am stupid – I am. If I say that I am ugly – beauty will never be a part of my consciousness. If I express that there is no purpose to life – I make this statement real. “For me, there is no purpose to life.” When I hear this, I often ask myself, why would a person be this negatively self-indulgent and self-destructive? The concise answer is poverty thinking. You have never been programmed to succeed. In this, you are not alone.
It requires a great deal of inner strength to overcome the forces of negativity, or perhaps even evil in the classic sense, (3) to battle what is pernicious and painful. Ask anyone, “Do we live in a violent and doubtful time?” The answer, most assuredly, would be in the affirmative. Yet the average person, worldwide I might add, has never seen the type of trauma that we take note of in the Internet or on international news feeds. So where is the truth?
When I see a child playing or listen to the birds softly chirping on a cool winter’s morning, I know there is a raison d’être to life, to my life — but and this is the great dilemma, I must find it. In this context, the years passing by are like a movie unfolding with an understandable plot. When you grasp its storyline, all “falls into place:” the only shock is the realization that you are its scriptwriter. This is why we should be thankful for age. It allows the individual to grasp the many lessons that are in the biography of each person’s life. The great writer Frank Baum (4) leaves us with a thought (from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz): “Can’t you give me brains?” asked the Scarecrow. “You don’t need them. You are learning something every day. A baby has brains, but it doesn’t know much. Experience is the only thing that brings knowledge, and the longer you are on earth the more experience you are sure to get.” This certainly has to be the truth.
A closing thought: Our contemporary civilization lauds youth and denigrates age. This, of course, was not always the case. In history, age was synonymous with wisdom. This was probably because the old earned their right to be respected and revered. If our senior citizens have lost their higher position on the pedestal, it is because they have stopped learning and growing and sharing. They have become “retired.” Retired from what, you may ask? Tragically, the answer, many times, is from life. The old take their talents and their money and hide in retirement villages or become maids and butlers to their children and grandchildren. This is pure nonsense. We should continue to lead and share until we leave this earthly dominion. The choice is simply up to each of us.
To sum up: This week, we spoke about agedness and why leadership should never be abrogated just because of the passing years.
To be noted: One should speak little with others and much with oneself.
Just for fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrrdWYh9Hwc&ab_channel=S%C3%BCdtirolinconcert
For reflection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6rWf0k8d78&ab_channel=KingsandGenerals
This week on your thoughtful walk, please reflect on how you view age. It is something that will come to everyone whether they are prepared or not.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful
Quote: Items from antiquity are revered for their timelessness and beauty. The aged should aspire to be the same.
Footnotes:
1)https://www.stoicmaze.com/home/2018/8/24/what-is-the-cosmic-joke
2)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universality_(philosophy)
3)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AzNEG1GB-k&ab_channel=CrashCourse