Conscious Aging: Relinquishing

As we age, move into what is sometimes called the second phase of adulthood (moving out of career and family building), we may become aware of a need to step back from the work that has been central in our lives, allowing others to step forward; such a recalling of our forces can bring mixed feelings about our sense of selves and purpose in the world, yet represents a phase that must be welcomed as we age more consciously. (Music by Noru from Pixabay; photo by ELG21)

Transcript

Welcome,

Friends.

As we enter the phase of adulthood,

When we move past careers and the building of families and wealth,

We may feel at times at a loss of how we are to be in the world.

With less doing,

We may find the relative slowness and the prospect of quieter days to be a challenge.

How are we to be in the world if we are not always striving,

Achieving,

Battling?

This is a short poem about accepting this experience,

About the impulse to step back from the battles of life.

As you listen,

I hope it will allow the words to suffuse you with a sense of peace and acceptance.

After the poem,

I'll offer a short reflection for us to meditate upon.

The poem is titled Let Us Recall Our Forces.

Now is the time to recall our forces,

To extend the bridge and throw open the gates,

As the wet and wintry winds blow rain over the grassy fields and waves.

Now is the time to bring home our forces that have been so battered in the world,

Those foolhardy youths with wonder in their eyes astride their innocent mounts.

Let them come home,

Battle weary and bewildered,

Tested and broken and sometimes cheered.

Let them come home.

Let them come inside these castle walls and let us shut up the heavy gates behind them with chains of iron.

Let us light the fires and warm the rooms and bring them good food and drink and a tune from a mandolin and a song.

Let us call home our forces,

They who have fought so hard,

Worked so hard and tried to live well in a bitter world with insufficient means.

Now is the time to make peace in every little thing we do,

From tending the fire to kneading the head of our dog,

To assure our friends and ourselves this is a quiet time.

We have arrived here at last.

Now we rest.

And as our dog laid down its head to sleep by the fire let us breathe easily now,

Fully and rest in the quiet unknowing of being here now with enough at last,

Enough.

Now is the time to recall our forces from the bitter,

Battled world.

Now,

Finally,

Is the time.

Let's take a moment now to consider the impulse of this poem to accept and acknowledge the battles we have fought in the world,

All that we have left undone and the warm invitation to be here now in the loving embrace of a quiet moment without striving.

Let's take a few moments to reflect upon whatever images,

Voices or feelings arise.

I hope you have found this experience helpful as you move into the next phase of your life.

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

I'll try to reply to all.

Be well,

My friends.

Reviews

Loved the recalling forces analogy..getting the balance between striving and letting go is an ongoing battle for me.Thank you for this beautiful reflection.

Just what i needed at a time i am letting my professional registration lapse after a 60 year battle