A new chapter of your life beginning

Quotes of the day: (from CCIE)

Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person. C. Neil Strait

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. Dalai Lama

This morning I was reading through postings from April 2006 at my old blog site. I came across this piece I had written:

The story goes that I was a really easy birth ... came right out as quickly and smoothly as can be ... in a bit of a rush, as I understand it. Couldn't wait, I guess! Wanted to be there, experience, see it all right here, right now. Apparently as a young child I would not fall asleep at night. I stood up in my crib craning my neck to see what all those adults out there were up to. And this is one of those characteristics that has not aged with me at all. I still want to be a part of everything that is going on around me.

Hm ... come to think of it, that is probably yet another reason why I simply cannot seem to give up blogging. I still want to be a part of everything that is going on. Not only as an observer and listener but, more importantly, as a participant. Yes indeed, participating, and not only the act of participation itself, but being permitted, encouraged, invited, wanted to participate makes me feel included.

I wonder if other people ever feel that way.

And then and there, as I read the words from my own hand and heart a year ago, I realized, "Well, of course this has been a challenging month for me. Being asked not to participate in an important event, an event that I will never again be able to participate in, strikes at the core of who I am!"

It's amazing what self-understanding can do. For, I immediately became calm. Confusion at my surprise at the past emotional storm lifted. Reality checked. And I thought, "Hey, I survived! Integrity intact. Emotionally stronger." And even though it has happened to me before, this time there is a change in the air, a shift inside me. A new chapter beginning. I remember a vibrant discussion with my students about philosophy of education and the meaning of life.

One of them wrote in a paper recently, in a different context, and yet, somehow, it just seems like it is all connected:

... in my experience, I have learned that feeling out of place means a new chapter of your life beginning ...

Comments

[tamarika]

MaryB,
Are you kidding? I am so in awe of your achievements, work, choices, decisions! Talk about "a new chapter begining!" I almost think that feeling out of place enables us to look in from the outside, which helps to have a different perspective, keeps us thinking independently of others. This has been so important for me as I find my way through a family system with extremely rigid and dominant views: "it's my way or the highway!" It has been, in fact, my survival!
Who am I to say? But I think you are doing it right on!

[MaryB]

Well, I almost always feel out of place, so I must be doing something right, eh? Your post has waked up my brain this morning!

[tamarika]

Heidi, You are still there! Hurrah! How lovely to hear from you again! Yes, I think that student's comment is fantastic. And yes, the new shift *is* exciting - a bit shaky because it is so new - but exciting.

Richard, wise words. Although, gee, I don't see that much compassion out there. Sometimes it amazes me how we have survived this long! I guess, humankind is tremendously resilient.

[Heidi]

Tamar, I think the comment from your student is exciting. Some people live their whole lives without comprehending that concept, and it's wonderful that this person already understands it! Every person is built differently; for some, new chapters are scary, whereas as for others they are exciting. Regardless, new chapters are all a part of the human experience. You sound excited about this shift you are feeling, and I'm happy for you.

[Richard Lawrence Cohen]

The Dalai Lama's statement is literally true from the evolutionary standpoint. Human intelligence evolved in the context of social cooperation in hunting and childrearing. Compassion, found only in animals of high intelligence such as primates and elephants, makes the longterm nurturing of the child possible, and thus makes our species viable.