WILDLY FREE ELDER
The Artistry of Aging
Category: Conscious Aging
The Body As It Is
“We come into this world with a myriad of sensations calling our attention. Throughout our lives we will discover many bodily experiences, some pleasant….and some definitely not. Often the latter is where we dwell.
Yet underneath all of those sensations and experiences lies a miracle of finely tuned and interconnected systems that literally keep us alive and breathing every single moment. “
Passing By
“The author of this true story is a dear friend of mine who lives in eastern Canada near to Toronto. He is in his early 60’s, and says about himself, “Brian Alger is a musician, writer, educator, and retired entrepreneur passionate about creativity”
Living Life in Black and White…or Color?
“The intention of silence and solitude for six days was entered into with a great letting go on January 1, 2023. Little did I know it was to be taken apart. Until then the seeming lengthening of available time in the day, coupled with the freedom to simply be present to each moment, was enhanced by a personal decision to ban all digital or electronic means of connecting or communication.
And then everything changed 2 days later when I happened to check my email…..”
Day 27: Elder Muse – What Is Life Without Beauty?
“What of beauty? It is as unique as each one of us. Nature’s landscapes and creatures, a beautiful human face, art that expands our perceptions, colors, light and form, the poetry of music – so much beauty in this world.
Yet, there is a different landscape for beauty to create within. The inner landscape within us. Most often we don’t even think about it, or look for beauty there. It is subtle but it is there in our continual journey of becoming as we cross thresholds leaving old patterns of thinking and being behind…..”
Day 22: Elder Muse – A Gift of Kindness
“The holiday season is often filled with excess and consumerism. I wonder what it would be like to offer a gift of kindness to each other or to strangers out there who you pass by every day.
Every time I go out into the world there is a practice I attend to most days. I do at least one act of kindness and share laughter with someone. When I saw the post on Good News Network about Captain Sir Thomas Moore I thought it was a great gift to give to you the reader, especially during the holidays.”
Day 17: Elder Muse – Breath of Joy
“There is a very old Chinese saying that says, “One who half breathes, half lives.” When you are feeling fatigue, lethargy, slight depression, or inability to focus have you ever taken a Breath Break?
You may find that your breathing has some restrictions. The good news is that you can choose to change that in any given moment. Shallow, upper chest, or restricted breathing represents so many things. It is a pattern not in alignment with well being, but instead restriction, limitation, and shutting down on life – YOUR LIFE!”
Day 10: Elder Muse -The Great Bell Chant
“Come, take my hand and enter a space of understanding, self compassion, natural beauty.
These moments are precious for you will never get them back again.
Let go with each sound of the bell and enter the sanctuary of the breath….in this moment and the next.
Until your heart opens as a lotus flower, filled with the preciousness of life…your life, all life.”
Day 9: Elder Muse -Love Has No Labels
“This video is a celebration of love in all of its beautiful, diverse forms. While this campaign was originally filmed in 2015, its message is timeless and continues to be relevant, perhaps even more so today. Allow this lovely video to fill your heart with hope and inspire you to trust love as your compass.” from Grateful Living.
Day 7: Elder Muse – Embracing Moments
“As I took in the poem I realized that instead of expanding awareness in that moment it felt like a spiritual admonishment of sorts. Glancing over at the plant stand in my bedroom I spied a bumper sticker that I keep there which says “Don’t Postpone Joy”.
The use of “do not” makes me feel a little like a child that is being told to please wake up and listen or tend to the moment more fully. That I simply wasn’t adhering to the precepts for Conscious Life 101, especially as a supposedly wiser elder.”
Day 6: Elder Muse -The Elder’s Journey
” There are no elder rites of passage in our mainstream culture. In fact we must create one for ourselves. Our own unique rites of passage – not a one size fits all.
Opening into a conscious approach to growing older we may still ask the question of ourselves “how do I want to live my life?”. Not “doing what you love” as a profession or job, but instead the question to live in is what opens our heart, inspires our creativity, and brings us peace of mind.”