|
|
|
|
|
For many the term old age is a death sentence, while for others it is a time of freedom and liberation. At any given time we are all a composite of both being young and old; truly we are only in the now. A very revealing experience is to place yourself physically in a place you remember from many years ago. Sit in the same park, stroll the same beach, look at a moonrise or sunset from the same eyes and heart as you did then. The discovery you will make is there is no time, no change and nothing taken away. There is only the richness of Experiences added to You. At some time in the past there were entire lifetimes that were lived working on a farm. The last few generations many have spent their lives working for other people or companies. In most of these situations there was a person to whom the worker could communicate needs or grievances, someone in charge of the business or operation. Today the real reality of Western business is that the business entity is only an Illusion. When the company downsizes or restructures the faithful employee is devastated. There is no real person to talk to, there is only the Illusion to blame. Ultimately, the worker is left with nothing but helplessness. For many people their lives have ended, for them there is no recourse. For many retirement time is the time to buy a new recliner and simply wait to die or begin pursuing totally self indulgent activities that still do not fill the emptiness. It is imperative to realize that our world is always Changing, whether anyone likes it or not. The fact is, this is a dynamic world of change and evolution as it always has been and will always be. The trap many set for themselves is forgetting that true life is an adventure and all about experiencing. When we choose to be in the illusion of a comfort zone, where nothing ever changes all the dynamics become static and the numbing death scenario begins. Human nature conforms to evolution and change irregardless. Knowledge increases, changes occur and adaptations are made. All these are irrefutable laws of the universe. The historically slow evolution of the way the world has always been has long encouraged complacency and certain comforts, like it or not within our lifetime all activity has accelerated exponentially. With the twentieth century the global shift is rapidly changing to that of information and developing the technology to diminish manual labor. With the development and expansion of modern communications we are also all becoming of one planetary consciousness. Especially, during the latter part of this century, The Chase for many has been the pursuit of money. Most people have worked for no other reason than to acquire money. All to what end? For security, for things, for more things, most have taken their efforts far beyond the necessities for a very comfortable survival. The Great American Dream turned into a horrible nightmare for many. This is one of the saddest scenarios, seeing the ego chasing an illusion. The greatest waste and selfishness in our present world are the ones who have so much to share and teach and choose to turn inward. Everywhere you look you can see brilliant people who think they have served their time. Many have more than enough money to live their life in luxury, but they are no longer participating in Life. It is a well known fact, most retirees have a life expectancy of two years. One can help but wonder how much it would increase and be enriched if instead of paying token concern about the sad face of a third world child if they got out of their chair and adopted one. Would any retiree even dare to consider moving to another country and teaching other families or villages what they know. Humanity practiced for others gives life, practiced only for self gives a much lesser reward. From the moment of awareness one should only be controlled by their heart instead of the mind or body. |
