Ageless Wisdom

When did being chronologically mature become a liability and not an asset? Are there not other cultures that value the wisdom gained through experience and not push this aside condescendingly as being irrelevant in today’s world? Why is it when we have lived long enough to see the larger picture, many have not learned to value the wisdom we can bring to the collective? As paradigms shift we might wish to look at what we are forfeiting by operating totally in the present without taking into consideration the wisdom gained by past experience from those who have “been there and done that”.

The “older” I become, the more I become aware of the wealth of experience that I have learned by living a life of meaning and purpose. It seems a waste to bury all these hard-won lessons and insights when I finally give up this journey. We all wish to give our children the best we can and make their life easier than the ones we experienced but how many of them want what we can give them? One of the tragedies born of the disintegrating family is that many have lost touch with those wisdom keepers that are a branch up on the family tree who have secrets to life and ways to avoid many of the pitfalls on the path. If our new family structure is the family of choice, wouldn’t it be advantageous to include all stages in our life journey together so that we are able to share our view from our branch?

The higher we climb, the greater the perspective. Those on the upper limbs have stored the memories of the seedling as well as the fragile early years where the impediments of life help shape the forming structure. But they have also adapted and grown past the challenges and the storms have helped them to strengthen and move higher where the view is better and strength is found in bending in the wind and being part of the ebb and flow of life. There is much wisdom to be gained from those who have been through the storm and know how to survive and thrive.

I am saddened when I see “youngsters” not just making fun of those who have fought the battles and have the scars to prove it but more importantly, not appreciating that they just might have the answers that would help avoid such skirmishes today. Laughter at the expense of others is never kind and seems to be another casualty of the old paradigm. Can’t we begin to rekindle this flame of divinity joyously by kindly acknowledging each other and the gifts we each bring to the association, no matter what our “age”? The vision and energy of youth are a perfect complement to wisdom and experience in the new paradigm. Might we be better served by walking hand in hand on the road to understanding that each has a piece of the puzzle of life if only we are willing to pool our visions in order to grow together?

Many attempt to regain their credibility by trying to recapture their youth. If we are a culture that no longer values the mature or appreciates their contributions, then why not try to make yourself appear as young as possible to be recognized as valuable? Are the “elderly” ridiculed, tolerated, or patronized or appreciated for the perspective they bring to the dynamic? Is ageism as offensive as racism, sexism or any of the other “isms” that separate us rather than unite us as One?

Wisdom used to be something that we gained from life experience and stored for future use. Knowledge comes from those who have studied the words and deeds of others. Truth is visible from our unique place on the tree of life. Wouldn’t it be advantageous if we began to share our perspectives within this dynamic, no matter what our “age”?

Seers of the new world speak of “youthing” which is a process where as we become an ageless continuum of experience. If you knew all you now know and had an ageless body, what would be the quality and focus of your life? Perhaps this is what we need to be focusing on as paradigms and realities shift and come into being.  This is the ageless wisdom…

Sophia