If we only knew then what we know we knew then.
Most would say that they would change a thing or two as they reflect on the events of their life. If this is you, consider giving me the opportunity to offer a different perspective. If you are one that has only gratitude for experiencing the moment you are in, please stick around anyway, we could use your wisdom.
I am eternally grateful for all the events that have unfolded in perfect alignment so that I could be here in this moment, writing these words. I’ve always tried to see the positive side of things, but I never would have imagined how profoundly valuable this was later in life. As an number of negative experiences found their way into my life, I was fortunate enough to not only endure but thrive. This hopefully serves as an example of why the idea of changing your life is not the answer to your perceived problems. Changing your perspective of the life you have is what elevates your experience.
The Sun Is Setting
As participation this life is winds down for me, I have felt increasingly compelled to share my reflections as I experienced them. My hope was that others will contemplate the potential for simple enhancements to their own life without the profound signals it took to get my attention.
I have experienced an exceptional number of challenges throughout my lifetime. Even if I could I wouldn’t change a single thing that would have altered my course and jeopardized the state of being I am fortunate enough to be in now. At some point and if time allows, I may elaborate but for now, I want to contribute what I can in the short time I have remaining.
The Path
Ironically enough, the very condition that is about to take me from this world is the reason I have found the peace and knowledge we search for our entire lives. I’ve studied the world’s religions, conflicts, human behaviors and even psychology in an attempt to force a condition of life acceptance that simply can’t be found. At least that is what I thought until the day came that I was faced with my own mortality for the first time and several others that followed. Like many others who find themselves in this position, I finally found my long sought after tranquility.
There are several stages one goes through at the end of their natural life. Inevitably, the final stage is acceptance and is a direct result of surrender. Acceptance, this unobtainable condition I was searching for my entire life found me when I was finally forced to stop looking. Applying this concept to all aspects of my life, when combined with the ideological and spiritual research I had done for the past 30 years led to a flood of realizations I already had stored, waiting to emerge. Only by letting go and surrendering to them, I learned what I knew all along but wasn’t spiritually mature enough to comprehend. I believe it is inside every one of us. We just need to be in a condition to receive it. It’s like removing stones from a stream. Only then can the water flow freely without disruption.
The most important thing as a teacher is not what you say, but the state of consciousness from which you say it. Words that are spoken from a state of inner peace carry a different energy, and that energy is what ultimately teaches.
Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose
The term “way of the Sage” has many different meanings to many different people. A “Sage” is someone who has developed wisdom related to life and well being. All of us are Sages, interconnected, but at different stages of awareness. My personal belief is “the way” or “path” has no destination but is an endless pursuit of a higher level of being. Through my experiences, I’ve found myself following this path and the guidance of those much wiser who found their way. While pursuing this path, I discovered that the immense fulfillment I was experiencing was mine alone and had no benefit to others. After struggling with my choices and much mediation, I have since learned that true elevation of oneself and the lessons in store can only come from serving others. My hope is that in sharing some of the inspirations I’ve graciously been given, those who are seeking the same path, will have some benefit to them and enable them to in turn teach others on their journey.
Please read through these reflections and resource suggestions with an open mind, apply what resonates with you and share your personal experiences and ideals. Together we enhance the quality of life that we are living and that of all those around us.
The Blog That Never Was
My intention to create this blog began many years ago. With the end coming soon, I am finally getting around to creating it. While I will not be able to complete it, I want to share my thoughts and several of the resources I’ve found along the way that profoundly impacted the way I live my life. I will publish as much as I can as quickly as I can until I run out of time. I will leave it up to my wife what to do with it after I’m gone.
Fading Sage