Thursday, September 20, 2018

Aging with Grace


New Eyes

As I get older, I get smaller. I see other parts of the world I didn't see before. Other points of view. I see outside myself more.”
Neil Young

This is how aging should be. As we move through the decades of our lives, we tend to take one road or the other—either we become more entrenched in our ways, and refuse to allow any other perspective to change us, or we take the more expansive but less traveled road. Our ego becomes less prominent, and we grow to appreciate differences. Even if we don't agree with an opinion, we have enough respect to listen. We may even learn something in the exchange that changes our mind. My take on this is quite simple—people who do their soul work, that is, who look at themselves deeply and honestly, take that road less traveled.

Honestly, I wish I could say that learning the Bible and being able to talk the talk is sufficient, but it isn't. If we don't also walk the walk, it means nothing. And it's not easy to walk the walk. Following the example and teachings of Jesus is extremely difficult. It has nothing to do with memorizing Bible verses; it has everything to do with ditching our ego along with our certainty about our own righteousness. Loosing our camouflage-persona feels exposed and dangerous, but that's what we are asked to do. We are asked to become smaller in our own eyes and to see outside ourselves more. Who knew that Neil Young would turn out to be a spiritual teacher!

Young said, “One new feature or fresh take can change everything.” There is a crack that lets in the light. It's the crack in our certainty of our rightness. Once that chink in our armor is made, things begin to happen. We may try to patch it up and pretend it's not there, but patches rarely stick. Once we look into the eyes of our soul, we are forever changed—there's no going back. It will pursue us and not let up. It takes courage to turn and face it, and to ask, “Okay, what do I need to learn?” Learning soul lessons can be a frightening experience, but one that, brick by brick, gives us a solid foundation. The soul is deep and wide and encompasses all that is. It is a road worth taking.

                                                               In the Spirit,
                                                                  Jane

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