I have often thought that we have much to learn from children. They have not yet adapted to the concept of linear time with a past, present and future. They relate only to the immediate present, to right now.
It is my hunch that they do not see the world as fragmented. They feel that they are joined to everything in the world as part of a whole. To me, they represent true innocence, LOVE, wisdom and forgiveness.
As we become older, we tend to accept the adult values which emphasise projecting past learning into the present and anticipated future. It is difficult for most of us to have even the slightest question about the validity of our past-present-future concepts.
We believe that the past will continue to repeat itself in the present and future without the possibility of change. Consequently, we believe we are living in a fearful world where, sooner or later, there will be suffering, frustrations, conflict, depression and illness.
When we hold on to, invest in and become attached to our guilty experiences and grievances from the past, we are tempted to predict a similar future. The future and the past then become one.
We feel vulnerable when we believe that the fearful past is real and forget that our only reality is LOVE, and that LOVE exists this instant.
One way of letting go of our "archaeological garbage" is to recognise that holding on to it does not bring us what we want. When we see no value in recycling it, we remove the blocks to our being free to forgive and LOVE completely now. Only in this way can we be truly happy.
This instant is the only time there is. The future can become an extension of a peaceful present that never ceases. Peace cannot be found in the past or future, but only in this instant.
We teach what we want to learn, and I want to learn to experience inner peace.
14 comments:
Uncanny you should post about this today... I have been reading (maybe too many books these days)a great book called The Parent's Tao Te Ching...it's all about this. Being mindful and present, like our children! I even posted about it today...love the synchronicity!
Synchronicity for certain. I woke up too early this morning, but I found it interesting that you and AVT Coach are both talking about love and devotion.
You are so right Peggy, I smile thinking about you and Joseph at the beach. How lucky he is to have someone who can express devotion to him in the way that you do. You are right, the "in the moment" of a child's love does teach us. My husband is often talking about how "having a childlike faith" does not mean a faith without thought and reason but a faith that trusts the present to be what it is without the issues of the past or worry of the future. Oh! I love "Oh, Very Young" isn't he just the best!
I've never thought about children that way, but I think you are so right about it, their feeling of being joined to everything...
And yes, yes, yes, inner peace feels so good. I'd like it 24/7 :)
Like the song with this too, btw. !
To borrow a word from one of my favorite Aussie blogger (le) what a FABBO post. Man, I love this stuff. You are good, my friend. Very, very good. You have a brilliant mind, a refined heart. I'll be back to read this again and again. I have archaeological garbage. Who wants to drag around trash?
Oh I so have archaeological garbage that I am dragging around. I need some inner peace too Peggy. Past needs to be the past and over with. I am sure reading your wise words will help dig me in the ribs and actually do something about getting it. I so love being around small children for that reason. Although they are few and far between these days as my neices live in London. Seeing the world through their eyes is magic. Another fine picture in your header. Brilliant photography.
Joseph's face and brilliant smile say it all, don't they? He's definitely enjoying the moment! And a day at the beach certainly sounds like a lovely way to spend time with him.
Your post is just what I needed. I would love to experience a steady inner peace, but as a worrier, those moments are fleeting for me. I need to dispose of my archeaological garbage permanently.... Not bury it, but incincerate it!
Hugs,
Roban
I love your music selections. You and AVT Coach have compiled a perfect group of songs for me to download to my iPod.
I do think we can learn so much from children. I'm reminded of that each time we keep our grandson. He is totally in the present moment. He enjoys interacting with us, learning more about his world, savoring his food......and often, as you know from Joseph - he transforms us into a joyful, childlike state for a period of time. The day you spent with Joseph was obviously such a gift for him, and I'm sure, for you as well. Once again, I'm also enjoying your playlist. And your awesome photographs. Thanks for brightening my day! Jan
I need to print this up and hang it in my bedroom.
LOVE this post today!
I love how my kids seem to so 'live in the moment' and fully capture and enjoy right where they are--something that seems to wane as we move to adulthood--
Love your reflections on what kiddos have to teach us--and the picture is just adorable!
Blessings!
On the other hand, wanting things 'right now' is a not so positive trait of youth of today.In the case of our two children (in their 20's) patience is NOT a virtue and they expect immediate results. In the past, I think people were more prepared to wait (and save and give up things) to enjoy a better future rather than instant gratification!(and that really IS a middle aged rambling....or grumbling!) CJ
Hi Peggy.......when I read your blog, I just felt it way down deep. Your posts are beautiful.
And, I sure feel your pain on the "middle-age ramblings", lol. That's what mine is as well. Just random ramblings. It's definately cheaper than therapy right? I do feel that we are in the best time of our lives. I know that I am and pray that you are too. We deserve happiness to the extreme!!
Drop by my blog if you ever have an extra minute or two
I've noticed the same thing, so much to learn from children. Namely, they don't seem to rush from point A to point B. Enjoying every moment, and not worrying.
I haven't slept and had a dreadful day with dealing with my ISP on phone, not being able to save my essays for college and, well, you know the other everyday problems I have...the reason I'm saying this is because what I'm gonna say wont make much sense, I'm almost falling asleep here but have to wait to put Sarita to bed...
What you write is beautiful, and, ideally, what we should all be living.
But unfortunately, the reality of this cruel world in which we live is so, so much crude and raw than children like Joseph...
He is gorgeous, and he obviously belongs to that category of children: the ideal of a child: the innocence and the load that we can learn from them.... and I haven't got much to complain, my daughetr beinga great child, all things considering...
but....
(there is always a but, isn't there?)
I'm afraid the reality of many, many children, sometimes as young or even younger than Joseph, these days is far from the innocence and beautty of childhood.
The children I have met working with the NHS here in London, the children I have met around my daughter even, in her primary school...
cruel, selfish and with as much calculating a mind as (probably their parents) any adult (I would dislike them much, those adults, but, unfortunately again, the world is full of them)
It's a beautiful post, as positive as you, my darling, darling Peggy...
The music that starts on when I clicked here (Cat Stevens) almost brought me to tears, so beautiful too.
Thanks for the phone call, thanks for being in our lives :)
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