Thursday, September 15, 2016

It's Life Long Learning

Are you same person you were 5 years ago? 10 years ago? Is the way you process identical to last year, or the year before? Most likely the answer is no.

We are constantly evolving. Our passions, desires and commitments lead us, our experiences mold us and our failures teach us. Sometimes as adults when we embark on a new study or develop a new skill we have selective amnesia. We forget the time and effort it has taken to foster the qualities and talents that define us today. We compare ourselves to others, want instant mastery and berate ourselves when things seem to "take too long".

The most precious times are often those of novice or student. We recall our childhood or college years with misty-eyed nostalgia and inner longing forgetting how hard we worked and how many times we stumbled along the way. Have you ever heard a child practicing the violin? It can very painful. But through years of study and discipline the musician in her begins to blossom. So it is with the inner blossoming of your spiritual path. It takes practice, it takes forgetting and remembering. It takes returning again and again to the desire to live in kindness and love. It takes patience toward oneself. 

What are you studying today? What do you seek to develop? Whatever it is remind yourself that it is truly life-long learning and resolve to enjoy the journey. Keep your sense of humor easily at hand, forgive quickly and rejoice in the daily opportunity to do better, live better and be better.

"Patience is the companion of wisdom"
St. Augustine

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