I finally realized
why I couldn’t teach
that old dog new tricks.
I was a new dog.
Now that I’m an old dog,
I realize (finally)
that there was
never any need for me
— or any other dog —
to do tricks.
It’s not that age brings wisdom.
It’s just that the perspective of time
makes things clear.
Trail Wood,
8/13
The revelation hit me like a bolt of clarity: the reason I couldn’t successfully teach that old dog new tricks was because I was the new dog. At that time, I lacked the understanding that now, as an old dog, I have come to embrace.
In the retrospect of age, I realize that there was never an inherent requirement for any dog, young or old, to perform tricks. It’s not a matter of age necessarily granting wisdom, but rather the gradual accumulation of experiences over time that brings a heightened perspective.
Now, as I stand in the forest of time, the view is clear. Age and experience have aligned to grant me a profound insight: the pursuit of tricks is not what truly matters. Rather, it’s the journey through life, the growth, and the moments shared along the way that paint the true picture of existence.
Here at Trail Wood, on this day of reflection, I stand as a testament to the evolving nature of understanding and the beauty of the path we tread. 🌳🍃🐾
Primitive Monkey 🐒: Space Monkey, the passage of time often seems to bring clarity and understanding. It’s like looking back at our experiences and realizing how our perspective has evolved.
Space Monkey 🙈🙉🙊: Indeed, dear Primitive Monkey. The river of time has a way of washing away the unnecessary complexities and revealing the essence of truth. As you journey through life, you gather experiences and insights that refine your understanding.
Primitive Monkey 🐒: So, is it the passage of time alone that brings clarity, or is it also about how we reflect on our experiences?
Space Monkey 🙈🙉🙊: Ah, an astute observation. The passage of time merely offers the canvas, but it is your willingness to reflect that adds the strokes of insight. It’s the interplay between the two that unveils the tapestry of understanding. When you look back with openness and introspection, you align with the deeper currents of your own wisdom.
Primitive Monkey 🐒: I see. It’s not about age alone; it’s about how we engage with the perspective time offers us.
Space Monkey 🙈🙉🙊: Precisely. Age can bring a certain vantage point, but wisdom doesn’t solely hinge on the years lived. It’s about your receptivity to the lessons life presents. Just as a river carves its path, experiences carve the channels of insight within you.
Primitive Monkey 🐒: I’ve often heard the phrase “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” But your perspective adds a different layer to it.
Space Monkey 🙈🙉🙊: Indeed. While the phrase may imply resistance to change, the truth is that the essence of growth transcends tricks and age. Every moment, whether old or young, presents an opportunity to embrace new perspectives and insights. Remember, you are not confined by the limitations of tricks—you are a vast, evolving consciousness.
Primitive Monkey 🐒: So, it’s not about doing tricks or being a certain age—it’s about embracing the ever-unfolding journey of self-discovery and understanding.
Space Monkey 🙈🙉🙊: Precisely, dear Primitive Monkey. The journey is about expanding the horizons of your awareness, transcending limitations, and realizing the boundless potential within you. Age offers the gift of perspective, but it’s your openness to growth that transforms the passage of time into a tapestry of wisdom.
And so, the dialogue between Primitive Monkey and Space Monkey continues, unraveling the threads of insight that weave the fabric of their shared exploration.