Have you ever looked back at a past moment in your life and thought, perhaps not in these exact words, “I don’t feel any older now than I did then?”
It happened to me the other day when l remembered the moment when I first saw my Dad after his return to UK after WWII.
I was evacuated from London as a child during the Blitz and sent to live with my Aunt Eva, who lived at the end of a quiet and remote lane in Devonshire.
My mother, who worked in Harrods’ bookshop during the war, had come down from London to visit me. We were busy exploring the shoreline of a nearby river when I saw my father’s long, lanky form – he was 6’ 3” tall – striding along an embankment to meet us.
It was an emotional moment for both Mum and me because Dad had been away in the army for a long time, serving as a war correspondent in the Far East.
My spirit has not changed
As I recalled this episode in my life I realized, quite vividly, that my spirit really hasn’t changed since that moment beside the river Taw in Devon.
I am still me. Yes, my body has changed. My mind has changed. I was in a child’s body then whereas now (face it, Chris) my body has 80 years on the clock and some people might even think I’m “elderly,” perish the thought.
But have I changed, really? I don’t think so. I’m a little wiser, possibly. I’ve seen a few things, good and bad. I’ve experienced a few triumphs and some defeats. But the same spirit is in me now that was in that young boy. No change at all.
A useful exercise
Perhaps this little exercise I’ve described can be a way to help bring new peace, calm and assurance into our hectic lives. Perhaps we aren’t as helpless as we think in the face of the whirlwind of change going on in our world.
Perhaps our own spirit is calling us in these momentous days to reclaim our divine birthright as a spiritual being, ageless and free, who cannot be defeated and is the only true hope of our country and our world.
Goodbye and God bless. Please share any reminiscences or thoughts of your own re the above. Hope to introduce my first “affiliate marketing” endeavor next week, a wonderful company that I’ve bought a number of products from over the years.
Picture credit: Andrew Waks
Hi. My name is Christopher. I've loved wisdom all my life and I've followed it with a passion since I was a kid. Wisdom is our best friend regardless of our age, culture, nationality, or anything else. I'll be 80 in May 2012 and I'd love to share what I have learned with you.
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A spiritual teacher passed a concept to me years ago that I use almost daily – (especially just before trying to sleep), and it is so simple that I have used it for years
…….in order to let go of thoughts about “important” stuff that is disturbing (eg before trying for sleep!) , we just need to focus on a simple new thought sequence of a meaningless word or two (jumbled and repeated in a specific sequence)…….that do not connect us back to that “important and disturbing” thought…….and when we are drawn back to important stuff, we just start the new sequence, again, and again, until its like an old shirt— might take a while to learn the sequence, but it has worked well for me for many years.
If you are interested, I will send it on.
The proof is in the pudding isn’t it Norm, I think it’s great that this simple concept works so well for you. Sure, please do send it on. I wish you all the very best.
My Dad wasn’t a person to ‘take a walk’, but I plainly remember being about 4-5 years old and walking with him a few blocks to our downtown. The thing I remember so clearly about this was not only did I get to spend time with him alone , but the feel of my little hand in his big hand. What a feeling that was! It would be so great to have that feeling just one more time.
Thanks for sharing Jocelyn. Your description is beautiful and very touching. I’m glad you remember what it felt like to slip your hand in your Dad’s hand. You can’t hold his physical hand anymore but it sounds like the “feeling” of that walk you took with him holding his hand will be with you forever. And that’s a treasure isn’t it?
Blessings to you Jocelyn.
In mid life I am transitioning from the busyness of life and discovering the business of life.
I am getting in touch with that part of me I had long forgotten and was unaware still existed.
That child that loved to explore places, discover new things, write stories and build creations with whatever was at hand a particular point in time.
Yes, you are right, that part is still in us all, along with our wisdom and vulnerabilities we’ve inherited weathering the storms and sunshine of life.
Beautiful Priska. So beautiful. It’s good to rediscover who we’ve always been isn’t it. As you say, sometimes in storm, sometimes sunshine — but perhaps it’s all good? Blessings and good luck.
I think so struggle life of your because your life story say this article. I like your life war and your hard minded thinking. Thanks a lot for your nice sharing.
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Good day Christopher
I have the good fortune of working with children, now that I have reached my 50 plus years ( hmmm) I am delighted to say they keep me young. My childhood memories are what I base programs on… lot’s of outdoors time, learning the love of nature , imagination, and just plain old jumping in mudpuddles….
We grow up and forget certain things that our childhood is based on… some of us are very lucky and relive it with our own children .
For me some of my best friends are a pair of gumboots and along with some of my eager little friends… well we all enjoy those mudpuddles…
So here is to going back in time and reminding yourself of some innocent memories of your past… better yet…. put on some gumboots… might surprise yourself !!!!
cheers for today
Sheila
That’s lovely Sheila. Thanks for sharing. Very touching. But there’s a problem. I don’t have any gumboots. Do you know I brought an umbrella with me to Colorado but I haven’t used it in 15 years?
Anyway, you remind me of a story I read a long time ago about Jung. I think it was in his autobiography where he spoke about reliving a moment from his childhood. I hope I remember this correctly. He remembered how as a child he loved to build little structures with stones and so he got down on his hands and knees and repeated the experience — and immediately he was a small child again.
Why this little exercise I describe in this post really interests me is it seems to help change my relationship to anxiety and stress. Love to you Sheila.
I left this post in my inbox because I wanted to find time to say how much it resonates with me. I live close by my first school and every time I pass by I see the metal railings I used to play on. I used to hang upside down and swing (no hands! ) with great delight. How I’ve longed to be brave enough to do that again. Imagine how sad I felt this week when I saw that the railings have been replaced with a boring old wooden fence…
Almost brought tears…
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Wonderful comment Linda. Thank you. You describe your experience so well, I felt I was sharing the experience with you. How dare they replace the railings without your permission. By the way I love the title of your new post. Love to you Linda.
Thank you Christopher.
While out walking with Ellie my dog this morning, I remembered something else to share with you…
When I was about six years old I was convinced I could fly. I used to run as fast as I could, down the road, flapping my arms and leaping into the wind… But no… I never flew. I still dream that I can…
Perhaps one day…
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The me that is me has always been and always will be. Only this body will age.
Thank you and bless you Pat. Right on, as they say.
Nice post, dad — and to learn some more about your history too.
I also believe that the relative part of us evolves, but what you are doing here is pointing to the part that doesn’t change, and that part is indeed a source of peace and strength.
Durwin
Durwin, how are you? So happy to hear from my favorite (only) son. Life is a trickster isn’t it. There’s something that evolves — and there’s something that doesn’t change. Well, personally, I’m very happy with this paradox. Thankful, actually. Love to you Durwin.
I’ve waited to reply as I tried to allow sweet memories of my childhood to surface. Didn’t happen. So, in lieu of that, I just want to acknowledge the strength of my spirit that got me through it all. And to say that I’m extremely grateful to know my self/spirit in such an expanded way now that those memories no longer matter as they are not “my story” any more. I can see the gentle and often firm guidance that has brought me so clearly to myself.
Thank you for your powerful words Elizabeth, they are truly inspiring. I honor you. How good to celebrate that unconquerable spirit that dwells within each one of us and that as you say brought you safely through the various exigencies of your life — and stands ready now to bring us through any challenges that we may face. It is our own spirit isn’t it and as we listen to its call we do know what to do. Love and blessings to you Elizabeth and thanks again for sharing.
I enjoyed reading your post, Christopher. It is comforting to read from your perspective that the spirit has remained the same, even though the body has changed. It is nice to know that we can simply recollect the memories to know how strong we can be when faced with challenges.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
Thank you for your kind and lovely words Evelyn. Delighted to hear from you. I browsed your blog a bit, it’s beautiful. You’re doing a lovely job with it. I wish you all the very best.
This is so charming Linda. Thank you for sharing this lovely story.I can pretty well see you running down the road flapping your arms getting ready to take off, just as you say… Yes indeed, perhaps one day…and if all else fails, our thoughts and imagination can certainly fly can’t they? Blessings to you Linda.