Diagnosed Mortal #13
This Blogcast examines what it is to want to be an adult and what it really takes to leave off childish things to get there. Exploring what needs to improve if we want love, passion and vitality in the world.
Being an adult is not the endeavor to rush toward that it once was. Beyond, of course, getting out of the grasp of the totalitarian shadow maintained by one's parents or immediate family. The entire landscape has changed for children. My generation had a lot to do with changing that. I contend that it falls to us who remain standing to pull it out of the tar pit it slid into. It falls to the grandparents, the adopted and genuine grandaunts and granduncles; the elders of the free world to live in autonomy and joy enough to be worthy of a child's respect; worthy enough to inspire them to hazard moving past the joys of childhood and into understanding and accepting with enthusiasm the business of fulfilling their life's work. It falls to us to say, "See? This too could be your old, wrinkled body full of love and resplendent with power, experience, and age. How do you feel about me?...This is where you are going! Autonomy is a rewarding goal and there is absolutely no one who can do you, but you!" If this proposition doesn't terrify them, then you can consider yours a job well done...We must show them how aging is a goal.
Stephen Jenkinson goes into this in more detail in his book, "Come of Age: The Case for Elderhood in a Time of Trouble"...To come of age is what we need to do.
Thank you for listening....
Deathy Tip: Respect and honor your rite of passage into adulthood.
Love lost, such a cost,
Give me things
that don't get lost.
Like a coin that won't get tossed
Rolling home to you.
Old Man, Neil Young
Regarding this video: This essay was originally called Searching For a Heart of Gold but I updated the title to reflect some of what I better understand since I first wrote this in 2017. Same video and subject but, as I watched the video, I see it a bit differently now. I'm not so much a "search-er" anymore but a "be-er". That has changed in me over the last few years. As I watch Neil in this clip I see, in his charming Scorpio smile and style, something that reflects his higher self; his knowing self - as he is premiering two new songs that are going to send millions of people keening and inspire, literally thousands of folks to fulfill their life's dream. If you look closely you can see this higher awareness coursing through him as he sings these songs. Sure he might be stoned but even with that, he knows this moment; he owns it and he is present with it. A person has to enthuse a full adulthood to experience the knowing seen here. Not everyone is required to channel such exquisite gifts to the world but everyone has a personal responsibility to allow that passion to find its home within themselves. This doesn't happen for children. Passion is what adults embody.
~For the curious: this Blogpost explains my motivation and intention for this series of 20 essays in the Diagnosed Mortal series~
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