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
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.
Summary
We contemplate the evolving relationship between age and humility, suggesting that while experience often engenders humility, it need not be the sole conduit. We muse on the magical synthesis of youthful vitality and seasoned humility, a state we whimsically term “Youthful Reverence.”
Glossarium
- Cosmic Slumber: The metaphorical death or state of complete union with the universal whole.
- Cosmic Acquiescence: A state of humble acceptance of one’s role in the universe.
- Youthful Reverence: A blend of youthful energy and the wisdom of humility.
“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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