***
A repost from 2021
ESSAY
Lesson learned from The Age of Miracles.
What it Was Like Then
A long time ago, I was young and had more time on my hands than I knew what to do
with it. Back then, “What do you want to be when…
When you grow up; when you graduate; when you arrive…” were questions often asked
of me.
I had answers to give back then, and while those that I didn’t speak of for fear of being
ridiculed lingered long–the replies I gave weren’t too far from my truth. But obviously, I
didn’t have the necessary tools achieved only through living a life. No one
does. Experience only comes with living.
I have lived. And all the living I’ve done can be easily displayed in decades. I’ve arrived
at my sixth. How many do you have? Four, five, six, or more? That’s valuable. So then,
it’s right to say that you and I are more equipped today than ever before– right?
The biggest revelation I’ve encountered at every level of my life is that I’ve always been
connected to something bigger than myself. And that I’ve had plenty of company. Even
in times when it seemed unique only to me– it wasn’t, as many like me were going
through similar stages. It’s as though we were all simmering in the same pot. And the
truth is we were–simmering in the pressure cooker of society.
There, our selves had time to merge with the selves of those of our generation in the
same pot. I always felt it and came to think of it as something holy. Holy encounters.
Seeped in Lessons Now
The world has changed; we have changed–inwardly and out, and both changes are
instrumental. And the beauty of being able to express ideas that I always thought
were too weird is that it does not feel as odd anymore.
Whether we intended to or not, this merging of selves is what has brought us to
where we are now. It’s no wonder that now our maturity emerges with such sensitivity.
Having gone through this invisible morphosis-of-sorts, my baby-boomer generation
has entered the middle age of life; and has arrived at a place where we are ready to
embrace our collective purpose. And it’s appropriate that we seek out each other and
decide on marching forward under the beat of a single heartbeat—no more hiding or
holding back.
Why?
Because…
– now we understand that every encounter is holy
– we agree that getting here was worth the trip
– we know we haven’t seen everything yet
– we know that the wick on our candles still lights up when we
imagine the road we haven’t traveled yet
– we are still breathing, still daydreaming, still embracing life
But now, instead of taking, taking, taking, our purpose lies in giving back
to the world from which we have taken so much
Let’s Revisit ‘That’ Promise
Looking inside in the place where our purity lives, we are met with an old promise
we have carried in our hearts for so long–the promise to make our world a good
place to belong. Home. We now know that if we treat our world with reverence
and awe, that’s what we’ll receive in return. That’s the kind of world we want to
leave our children with, don’t we?
We’ve wanted to do good on that promise, but attempting it alone and failing
discouraged us and threw us off balance.
Now, we have found our collective balance.
Now we have each other to turn to.
Now we can move forward.
Revisiting that pure place within, we find ‘that package.’ We dust it off and are
once again reunited with that promise that lay forgotten for much of our busy,
competitive years. This time as we revisit the promise, we open it with care and
realize that we can no longer suppress the promise.
We have to do it now. And now that we know better, we will do it better because
now we will thread with humility.
In our diverse cultures and unique communities, each of us has incidents where we
feel something has persisted unattended for much too long. Think about it. There
might be a few, or there might be many. Don’t let the numbers overwhelm you.
We will work on them together, one at a time.
We have some new things in our favor now. We’re ready and willing to exercise the
power of lessons learned and attempt to use them to the fullest.
The gift and the promise were there when we were young, but then we were too young
and too arrogant to appreciate the gravity of the weight of that promise.
Now we know that humility, collectivity, reverence, and grace are the tools that will get
us closer to achieving more.
Let us renew our commitment to the process of life. When we commit this way, we will
find that life will recommit to us.
Now is the time to burst forth into your greatness — a greatness you could never have
Marianne Williamson, The Age of Miracles.
achieved without going through exactly the things you’ve gone through. Everything
you’ve experienced was ‘grist for the mill’ by which you have become who you are.
And the best thing is that we are right on time.
Still, we pray: May the world not bind or blind us.
Both Photos: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Thanks for reading–I hope this wasn’t too heavy for a Sunday.
I Wish You Miracles.
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That’s lovely, Selma.
<3
David
Aww, David. Fills me with joy that you liked that section. Thanks for letting me know. I’ve been having a tedious week, and your words gave me a moment of hope. So you see, your comment was more than just a comment. Thanks so much.
Hi dear. It’s an amazing work you do here. Just wanted to inform you that I nominated you for the Aesthete Blogger Award. You can go through my post on it and do as the rules say.
Oh my heart. Really? Bless your heart. I’ll read up on it. Thanks so much. I appreciate you too. ♥️
In our diverse cultures and unique communities, each of us has incidents where we feel something has persisted unattended for much too long. What is it? Think about it.
Such a brilliant thought we should all think about and act on. Beautiful writing as always Selma 🙂
An honor and a blessing anytime you leave me a word. I appreciate you sincerely. Thanks so much.
well said, Selma – didn’t Native Americans teach that one should think seven generations ahead?
Native Americans are full of wisdom. I’m sure they must have taught that lesson.
And makes sense. Seven generations. Yup!
Thanks for reading and commenting, da-AL.
And happy Independence celebrations. 👏 🎇 👏
Very inspiring and insightful. Much appreciated 🙏♥️
Amen Selma 🙏
Amen Maggie. Delighted you read this long one. Thanks for giving me this much time. Blessings on your Sunday.
It is my pleasure always dear Selma .
Many blessings back to you 🙏
I absolutely love this and will save it. I’m in my sixth decade, but closer to my seventh. I have learned so much and still have a way to go, but I’ve learned to worry less, to be gentle in the world, to treasure every moment, and to spend my hours for the good of the world
Beth, save it? Thanks for choosing to do that. Happy it fell on fertile ground here this second time around. I’m delighted you saw it worthy of your time.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
We keep learning and growing and discarding what doesn’t serve the purpose. Because on the uphill, less is needed.
Up until now everything we
experienced was ‘grist for the mill’
And we can now discern what we don’t need for the “hill”
Bless you friend. I appreciate this comment. Happy Sunday.
p.s. I recently had a dream about making a jigsaw puzzle the last quadrant was stuck together and all white. the puzzle was me reorganizing my life as it exists, piecing it together, for my next chapter, now that I’ve retired, and the white section seemed to be a blank slate for me to fill in anything I choose or discover. you’ve inspired me to blog about this
Let’s continue to inspire each other. You inspire me every time.
There’s depth in dreams. Not all clear at first—it’s mostly just a tap on the shoulder to pay attention sometimes. Glad the puzzle got clear-er.
Go in the direction of your dreams. Xo 🤗
A beautiful share Selma. It’s the truth too.
We are living in the future now. Happy you read, Sadje. Blessings.
Blessings to you too my friend
A moving piece, Selma, full of insight, wisdom, harmony and love. This was a total joy to read, my dear. May you continue to be blessed. ♡
We “are more equipped today than ever before” – yes, we are. Thank you for this inspiring essay, Selma. It is a joy to read both your poetry and prose – to engage with your beautiful and articulate spirit. 🙏🏻🕊️
I remember reading The Age of Miracles over a decade ago in my 50s. I was still working in my counseling career and feeling burnt out after many years of giving and looking forward to the freedom of retirement. With the big move, I have put my giving back on hold for a while, except in little ways. This post is one of the nudges to keep giving back as I take care of myself with balance. I found “Don’t let the numbers overwhelm you. We will work on them together, one at a time.” especially helpful.
It’s a phenomenal book. I got the book a decade ago too. And still treasure the wisdom. Thanks for reading dearest JoAnna. Be well. Bee cool. Bless you