Wisdom Gained

Yesterday, I curled up with a cup of tea and spent a couple of hours reading over my blog posts from the last year. Why? Well, it has been many years since I made New Year’s resolutions, and the pandemic put a stop to annual planning and goal-setting. This coming year is different. This year will be the first that we are fully retired. If the last few weeks have taught us anything, we have learned that some level of dreaming, planning, and setting intentions is necessary for us both to feel fulfilled and content.

And that is what led me to my blog. In 2023, I have passed on reflections, quotes, and questions that I felt might be helpful to you and me both on this aging journey. So, I thought I would share some wisdoms I need to re-visit. They may also make you pause and reflect.

Click the photos to read the full blog posts.

I will wrap this up with these words from Gabriel Roth. In many shamanic societies, if you came to a shaman or medicine person complaining of being disheartened, dispirited, or depressed, they would ask you one of four questions.

When did you stop dancing?

When did you stop singing?

When did you stop being enchanted by stories?

When did you stop finding comfort in the sweet territory of silence?

Where we have stopped dancing, singing, being enchanted by stories, or finding comfort in silence is where we have experience the loss of soul. Dancing, singing, storytelling, and silence are the four universal healing salves.

- Gabrielle Roth

This is a reminder to myself to dance and sing, to enjoy the silence, and most of all, to continue writing and listening to to stories. I hope you also find some guidance in these wisdoms. What glimmers of wisdom will be guiding you in the new year?