With Age Comes Wisdom

I often think back during situations of my lifetime to words of wisdom that were spoke to me.  I will admit that I do it much more often now that I have aged somewhat myself then I did when I was of a younger age.  I think that could be true for many of us.  At a young age we tend to turn our ears away from words spoken to us as a means to help guide us a bit more straight in life.  But then when one is young we are ready to conquer the world and we wish to do it in our own manner, learning our own lessons… right or wrong.  It is human nature I guess.

 

Yet through time we store those morsels of truth and guidance back in a corner of our minds.  As time progresses we are more apt to rummage through the old boxes and take them out again.  Many times we will even mount them and admire and live by them.  After of course we have learned from them.

 

It is usually the aged that silently sit back and watch the young do their thing.  A smile crosses over their face when no one is looking as they think back to a time they themselves were the same.  Some are graced with the ability to translate their message so that it may be listened to and possibly even acted upon.  Yet many know better than to speak up and offer a piece of their wisdom learned through the years. It is usually not until such relics have passed on that we realize the wonderful treasures that were hidden in their words.  Sadly too often it is not until then that we realize the worth of what they gave us and the loss of what we did not take.

 

It is believed that the Yew may very well be the oldest living tree.  Much of this belief is attributed to the manner in which it grows.  It can grow to great size.  Eventually through time it will begin to decay and start to hollow out.  Still determined and resilient a  new sprout will come forth from the soft compost of the decay allowing it to continue its existence. 

 

It is not just in this manner that it continues it life span.  Its branches also re root  and eventually will grow into trunks of new trees.  Because of this small new trees can be found around the area of the yew. If transplanted these trees will grow easily into new Yews themselves.  The prolific nature of the Yew can be found in many forms. Its continual manner of rebirthing itself makes it easy to see how it is associated with transformation and regeneration. 

 

I liken it to the phoenix.  Who through its fiery death will always come forth from the ashes and once again thrive.  Each time being more adept and capable to adapt to its surroundings and circumstances.  The yew allows nothing, save mere destruction, to end its cycle.  In truth even that may not be able to annihilate it.  It has survived for millions of years with evidence pointing it back to the Triassic era.  Translated to something most would understand, that is 200,000,000 years

 

Imagine the wisdom that such a life  could tell.  Living such a span of time and silently watching all that transpired around it.  The changes that came and went.  The secrets that were whispered beneath it as it stood and listened. The wonderful stories it could weave for us. The wonderful lessons it could teach.

Que Sera Sera

A while back I talked to you about the fact that this was my 50th year of life. I went on and on about how I was going to make the best of this year and do the things I wanted most. I spoke of the vigor I had, not only for life but also in energy and such.

I am wondering today where all that vigor has gone... I know I am getting older and I guess in some ways I have not or maybe do not want to actually face some facts.

I can no longer run the 50 yard dash as fast as I used to.

I bruise now when they take my blood at the doctors;

plus it is harder to find the vein to even take it in the first place.

I can no longer stay out to all hours of the night, drink myself into a stupor and get up and go to work the next day.

Weight is becoming my enemy. When I young I had the pleasure of being able to eat anything and everything I wanted with little recourse. I am well aware of where it is now.... My sizes tell me quite loudly. And losing it is not as easy as it once was.

Where I once tolerated my big melons when I was young even though they were cumbersome and often in the way, I have grown to dislike them intensely and want to trade them in for a smaller pair.

One would think that I had quite the negative attitude with all these statements. I will admit that there are times when I would not mind simply going to sleep and waking up when this was all over. Despite what some may think I am not always little sally sunshine. I will also admit that I do not like getting old or at least some of the things that it brings with it. But such is life and really it doesn't matter what I like or don't like.... it is what it is...

Yet I will admit that aging has also given me some awakenings that I was too blind to see when I was younger.

I don't need to run the 50 yard dash in record time. I never really was a track star anyway.

Although I bruise when I give blood, I do not have to do it often as I rarely go to the doctor unless it is for my allergies or to refill a prescription that has expired.

I never was one for staying out all night and getting snockered. A leisurely glass of wine on my back porch is really all I need. Unless of course it is a Muse concert. Then I seem to find the energy somewhere down deep and I could stay up dancing all night long.

I do not have to worry about my weight as much as when I was young. I caught the man I have wanted all these years and he loves me just like I am. And anyway if I finally do go through with saying farewell to the sisters that have been with me since Jr. High (way too early for big boobs, especially back then) the number that comes up on the scale will definately decrease. I know this why? Because a couple years back when I had the biopsy on my right breast, it was just a little piece and I could tell the difference.

When I turned 40 I remember talking to a woman about all the changes that seemed to be occurring to me after my 40th birthday. She only chuckled and said...

You think 40 is bad... wait til you turn 50.

Que Sera... Sera...

Celtic Tree Lore - Legends of the Hazel

azel is known for its attributes of wisdom as well as the inspiration of creativity it gives. Such creativity can be seen in the tree itself because of its unusual branches that grow in curious shapes, such s the corkscrew hazel.

Its association with the heart chakra comes from the legend that the hazel stood at the heart of the faery realm. When a hazel is found growing with an apple and hawthorn tree it is said that these three mark the boundary of a magical place.

In mythology the Hazel is attributed to the god Mercury. Mercury was the messenger of the gods and also the god of commerce, cleverness, travel and thievery. He is often depicted with a staff or wand of Hazel and wearing a broad rimmed traveling hat and sandals. A Hermes (the greek version of Mercury) when he was only a few hours old he escaped from his cradle and went in search of adventure. Later feeling hugrey, he stole two oxen from Apollo and hid them in a cave where he killed them and ate them. When Apollo discovered what had happened, Hermes played to him on a lyre which he had made by stretching cords across a tortoise shell.

Apollo was so charmed by his music that he allowed him to go unpunished. In gratitude Hermes gave the lyre to Apollo. Apollo in return gave Hermes a magical Caduceus made of Hazel. It was said to bestow wisdom, wealth, and prosperity on its owner by turning everything it touched into gold.

Thursday Rambles...... And A Little More

I feel as if it has been forever since I wrote anything with any meat in it.  Mind you I do not mean to make little of the post I have done recently on the Relief efforts and needs of those in Haiti or the announcement of the winner of my giveaway.  I just long to write something that dives down into the thick of things and pulls out some really precious pieces. 

I have for some time now been longing for spring.  In a strange sense this is my first year to truly fully express and observe my true beliefs.  Although I have had them for the majority if not all of my life, I have not always given myself 100% to them or to the recognition of them and what they truly mean.  Fear possibly is what kept  me from doing so in most cases, yet I feel that this is not a very valid excuse so I will just say that my journey has finally brought me to this point.  It seems since I have started this blog it was if I opened the windows and front door of myself and allowed all to be seen and to also welcome all that may want to come visit.  It has been a true enlightening experience and I am amazed at times at the speed that some lessons are learned and at times the feeling that they were always there just hidden deep inside of me until I was ready to bring them forth.

As the new year started last November at the the eve of Samhain, I could feel the stir in me.  More than I have ever felt in past times.  It was a tremendous urge of excitement as to what was to come in the times to follow.  The quietness and self reflection which it brought shortly after somewhat startled me as I saw things that I thought I had already dealt with yet realized that they were still areas of my life that needed discipline as well as more training.  Although honestly can we ever know enough.  I am happy that I have always been eager to learn any thing that may be there to soak in.  I feel it only broadens ones mind and clarity of the things that surrounds them.  It was never said that one needs to agree with all they hear, yet a different perspective can sometimes help you to see your perspective in a much clearer light.

As January moves on and Imbolc is short behind, I can feel the urge growing inside me still.  The waxing moon is out in all its beauty.  With its constant growth each night on its way to showing its full face, I can feel the energy.  I too feel like I am growing.    Preperation for the coming seasonal change is beginning.  Seeds, peat pots, and soil have been purchased for the planting of the herbs and flowers that I will plant this spring; a task I will take on this weekend.  I have read many posts today where some are lucky enough to even have the tops of their daffodils peeking through the ground eager also to come out and welcome the warmer weather.

Yet I know that patience is still something that is needed.  It is not a time to rush what is slowly evolving in all of us this time of year.  It is a time to allow it to envelope us slowly, so that it can fully penetrate us and fill each crack and crevice of our being.  It is a time for us to open ourselves up to all that is about to unfold for each of us.  It is a time for us to listen to the still quiet words that are spoken to us and to learn from the lessons that we are being taught.  This  will then prepare us for Imbolc as well as for Beltane and on. 

I thank all of you for your gifts of wisdom thru your words as I beleive that each of us has a purpose here in blogland if only for one individual to be moved.  I thank you also for the simple support and encouragement and yes love that I feel from many of you each day, not only in your posts yet also in the comments that are left behind after a visit.  I want you all to know that my door truly is always open to any of you. 

I am not sure if this was actually a meatier post... just some words and feelings that I had on my heart that I needed to let out and share.  Blessings to all