“It takes a very long time to become young.”
― Pablo Picasso
While summer remains, consider a plunge into your youthful nature. The annual stirring of 'back to school' energy has already begun and despite the heat waves, mornings and evenings still bring children to parks and neighborhood gatherings. This is a time where you can feel the pull of the freshness of youth and the adventure of learning and discovery that still lies within you. It may be faint, lost under the burden of adult responsibility or an aging body or even the trauma of these years of Pandemic, or your own childhood, but it is there. Our capacity to feel young at heart is healing. It opens us spiritually to a renewed sense of wonder and expectancy. It brings us into a closer connection with God. We are more open--less cluttered with assumptions, disappointments, and mistrust. It brings us closer to those who are younger in a way that paradoxically frees us to give our support and life experience to the newer generations.
Years ago in India, I visited my teacher and friend, U.G. Krishnamurti, in a private living room packed with people. That night, U.G. was in a boisterous mood, spinning jokes with artist (and natural comic) Louis Brawley. U.G., who was then 85, had been ill and was still rather frail, but he suddenly astonished the crowd by asking Louis for a piggy-back ride. Louis, a big, strong guy always up for a challenge, quickly managed to get U.G. on his shoulders in an unbelievable scene that sent shock waves through the room. As they danced around the people huddled on the floor, U.G. on Louis' shoulders, the westerners began raising their hands and pumping their fists like at a wrestling match or rock concert, shouting/chanting "U.G.!, U.G.! U.G.!" The Indians were appalled. This shattered all the protocols for hosting an enlightened sage. Some were enraged; some were terrified he would fall. I sat there filled with grateful amazement, because I was witnessing an ancient archetype: the spiritual master, ignoring "the teachings" to play with children in the dance of life.
Today, despite the world's pressing problems, your troubles, or the troubles of the younger ones in your life, this day--everyday--holds joy. The world is not lifted by wringing our hands and fretting. Lift your heart instead. May you stay forever young. (Susan Nettleton)
follow the link to Bob Dylan's lyrics: https://www.bobdylan.com/songs/forever-young/