Humility is easier for old people
who have lived the so-called “successful”
lives coveted by the arrogant youth.
There is a comfort and cushion
in the accumulation of experience
and its many facets of wealth.
Seems the young
can’t AFFORD to be humble.
Their fear of the UNKNOWN prevents it.
I, on the other hand,
have less UNKNOWN left in me,
if only by virtue of being closer to death.
And so I am humbled
by my experience,
fully understanding
the hardness I once entertained,
and probably still do.
Trail Wood,
10/8
Space Monkey Reflects: The Paradox of Humility
Humility is often seen as a virtue, but it’s a virtue that doesn’t come easily, particularly to the young. Youth, with its energy, ambition, and drive, seems almost at odds with the concept of humility. For the young, life is filled with the pursuit of success, the drive to prove oneself, and the fear of the unknown. This fear makes it difficult to embrace humility, as it’s often seen as weakness or passivity in a world that values assertiveness and self-promotion.
The reflection suggests that humility becomes easier with age, and there’s truth to that. As we grow older, we accumulate not only material wealth but also experiences, failures, and lessons. These experiences act as cushions, softening the rough edges of our ego, and allowing us to see the world from a broader, more compassionate perspective. The comfort of experience allows us to be less concerned with proving ourselves to others, less driven by fear, and more accepting of the things we do not know.
In youth, humility feels like a luxury we cannot afford. The unknown looms large, and the drive to succeed pushes us to project confidence, even when we might feel unsure. It’s not that the young are incapable of humility, but rather that the pressures of youth—both internal and external—make it harder to embrace. The fear of failure, the need to establish an identity, and the desire for recognition often overshadow the quieter virtues of humility, patience, and acceptance.
As we age, however, we start to confront the reality that there is less unknown left for us. This realization can be humbling in itself. The sense of invincibility that often characterizes youth gives way to the knowledge that time is finite, that life is fragile, and that we are not as in control as we once thought. This awareness doesn’t diminish our value but shifts our focus from ambition to understanding, from conquering to accepting.
The reflection touches on the idea that we are humbled by our experience. With time, we come to understand the futility of many of the things we once pursued with such intensity. The success we craved, the accolades we sought, and the validation we chased become less important as we realize that these are transient, fleeting things. What remains is a deeper understanding of life’s complexities, a recognition of our own limitations, and, ultimately, a sense of peace with who we are.
Olderness, a Whimsiword, captures this state of being where age, experience, and reflection converge to foster humility. Olderness isn’t just about getting older; it’s about the gradual softening of the ego, the growing acceptance of uncertainty, and the ability to find wisdom in our past mistakes and missteps. Olderness brings with it the comfort of knowing that we don’t have to have all the answers, that we don’t need to prove ourselves to anyone, and that it’s okay to let go of the drive for perfection.
This sense of Olderness is freeing. It allows us to approach life with more grace and less urgency, to let go of the need for control, and to embrace the fact that we are all works in progress. Humility, then, is not about devaluing ourselves, but about recognizing our place within the larger scheme of things. It’s about understanding that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves, and that our individual achievements, while meaningful, are just one small piece of the puzzle.
In youth, there is a hardness, a need to project strength and confidence, often to mask the fear of the unknown. This hardness is necessary to some extent—it helps us navigate the challenges of early adulthood, pushes us to take risks, and drives us to achieve. But with age, we begin to understand that this hardness is not sustainable. Life’s inevitable challenges, losses, and disappointments gradually chip away at our defenses, leaving behind a softer, more humble version of ourselves.
The reflection acknowledges that even with age, the hardness doesn’t disappear entirely. We may still cling to some of the ego-driven behaviors and attitudes that defined us in our younger years. But the key difference is that with experience comes awareness. We are more attuned to our own faults, more aware of the ways in which our ego can get in the way, and more willing to admit when we’re wrong. This self-awareness is a crucial component of humility, and it’s something that can only be cultivated over time.
In the end, humility is not about being passive or self-effacing; it’s about being honest with ourselves. It’s about acknowledging our strengths and our weaknesses, our successes and our failures, without feeling the need to exaggerate or diminish either. It’s about recognizing that we are not the center of the universe, but rather one small part of a much larger whole. And in this recognition, we find peace.
Summary
Humility becomes easier with age as we gain experience and perspective. Youth, driven by ambition and fear of the unknown, often struggles to embrace humility, but with time, we soften and learn to accept life’s uncertainties.
Glossarium
- Olderness: A Whimsiword describing the state of being where age, experience, and reflection foster humility and a growing acceptance of life’s complexities.
Quote
“Humility is not the absence of strength but the recognition of our place in the grander scheme of things.” — Space Monkey
The Softening
In youth, we rush, we strive, we push
To be more, to be seen, to be known
But time, with its patient hand, softens the rush
It wears down the edges of the stone
In Olderness, we find our grace
Not in the need to conquer or to win
But in the quiet recognition of our place
And the peace that comes from looking within
We are Space Monkey
The illusion of age brings with it a peculiar wisdom—a timeworn lens that softens the harsh edges of the ego, rendering them translucent. In this twilight of the human chronicle, humility seems more accessible than in the brash dawn of youth. Young wanderers, in their eternal chase of aspirations and escapades, often cloak themselves in the armor of arrogance, as if it were their only defense against the gaping maw of the unknown. Their tread is loud, their postures rigid, as if by mere audacity they can fend off the uncertainties lurking in the nebulous folds of the future.
Yet, when we arrive at the penumbra of existence, at the crepuscular hours closer to the great Cosmic Slumber, there’s an increasing sense of yielding—a cosmic acquiescence to the mysteries of existence. What once was hard rock becomes fertile soil, an earthen humility that has made peace with its own fragility. We recognize our past steeliness, even as we are softened by the cosmic lullabies of lived experiences. We understand the futile rigidity we once held and, possibly, continue to hold in residual corners of our being.
But humility is not the prerogative of the aging. Nor should it be. Could we imagine a world where the vibrant energies of youth were coupled with the profundities of humility? A world where even the sprouting seeds, yet to blossom, bow in deference to the wisdom of the cosmic soil that nurtures them. This blend of youthful vigor and reverent humility could forge a crucible where miraculous synergies emerge, creating a playground of endless cosmic possibilities. We may call this fanciful state “Youthful Reverence.”
We are Space Monkey.
“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
— Socrates
What are your ruminations on the intricate dance between humility and the various seasons of life?
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