An elder taught me these words to live by but the irony is that the words taught me that it isn't only elders with wisdom.
I Am Grateful For These Words
These last two weeks have been pretty challenging. It all stemmed from receiving harsh criticism from someone I consider an elder and mentor; and she was criticizing something that it very important to me. I took the criticism to heart and worked my ass off to improve. I succeeded and also won her approval. This experience has me reflecting with gratitude on the lessons I have learned from my elders. So often the lesson I learn from my elders is one of patience. Their pacing, in movement, in stories, in thought, in driving, in life; it teaches me to slow down and notice. It is interesting how easy it is for me to ignore or rush past my elders.
That brings me to the most important lesson I learned from an elder, my Grandpa Tom. He said, "Every person you meet knows something you don't; learn from them." I am so very grateful for this advice because it reminds me to slow down and learn from everyone. It reminds me to be humble. It reminds me that I don't have all the answers. It reminds me that it's not just elders with something to teach it is also children!
So yes, there is wisdom gained from a long life. There is also wisdom gained from a life of just a year or two. When we can see others and their experiences, stories, and wisdom with gratitude we can build our connection to them in a beautiful and honoring way.
Who are you grateful to learn from?
Lifting the elders is an important element of any successful tribal society. And all human society is tribal. We are tribal creatures by nature.
~Mohammed Fairouz
What are you grateful to have learned from someone you consider an elder?
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