The Numbered Guests
Coming up with a title for this blog was a slight struggle to the point that I almost gave up and entertained the idea of a title-less blog as good. However, here we are!
Warning that I was feeling all over the place writing this one, so I decided to number my thoughts to help convey them. Take them as they are, although you might find them somewhat or very much connected.
#1
I don't know what it is about birthdays, but they always come with this unspoken reminder (at least for me, I should not project) that the time clock is ticking and ticking fast. However, this reminder has, over the years, solidified for me the importance of valuing time in terms of how, who, and what I spend it on.
#2
Before my birthday this year, I carved out some time to reflect on why aging is such a tough pill to swallow when we, as humans, know it's a natural and inevitable part of life. Is the world we created high key to blame for this? I welcome thoughts on this!
#3
The poem titled "The Guest House" by Rumi is one of my favorites to date. The poem speaks to welcoming each experienced emotion we feel as humans as a guest, no matter what they bring with them.
#4
Applying Rumi's take on emotions as guests to aging, during one of my many random reflections prior to my birthday this year, I decided to consider the perspective of viewing my previous age (27) and new current age (28) as guests.
I recall waking up the morning of my birthday this year and waiting for the “new guest has arrived” situation to click (aka me feeling that I am now a year older) but it really did not. It was like 27 packed its sh*it and left silently, with no formal goodbye, no turning back, and 28 came in the door like, "Yo, I'm here." but with an air of indifference. I would say the exit of year 27-arrival of 28 definitely brought up the feeling of énouement [ey-noo-mahn meaning the bittersweet feeling of realizing that a certain period/era/journey of life is coming to end] throughout that day.
#5
With its air of indifference, 28 didn't come with a party mood. However, deep down I do feel that 28 is going to be a great guest.
#6
Because 27 and all the years prior, did what they had to do to set up 28's visit - from lessons about embracing change to the importance of living in the moment and everything in-between and connected.
#7
One thing I did realize though is, treating each age as a guest is not at all entirely similar to treating emotions as guests. There is a difference.
#8
Emotions arrive to visit every moment of the day. Some of them too often, too demanding, too present than we want them to be. An age visits only once and takes you on a 12-month adventure.
Sometimes those adventures are wild, fun, full of mystery, tears, joys or lessons.
Soaking in all the adventure each age takes you on is important because if not soaked in, regret will be carried into how every age that follows is welcomed and experienced.
#9
Maybe thinking about an age as a guest is funny, weird or different but…
the concept of aging in our world is quite sad, often associated with decay/deterioration and something that ought to be reversed at all cost.
#10
What if aging is viewed differently? Anything but sad or a negative experience.
Mairo
