Family -- Honoring the Elders

Many Elders are leaving the planet, taking their wisdom with them because no one is taking the time to learn the ways of the ancestors. This is a sad state of affairs. It is time once again to return the Elders to their role as wisdom keepers and learn the knowledge they have to share relating to family, culture and society.

During ancient times, Elders were respected and given high reverence. Many cultures set times aside each year for the express purpose of listening to the storytellers as they shared their life experiences with the younger generations.

In these civilizations, families were the center of the culture. The full tribe worked as one to raise and educate the young. Every person had a purpose, each sharing the chores and the gathering of food. Can you imagine living closely with your entire tribe? Many cannot fathom being in the same room for any length of time with some of their closest family members. Why is this? Often it is due to the lack of basic skills of clear communication, sharing and forgiving.

Clear communication involves talking when it is your turn to talk and listening while others are talking. By active listening and mirroring back what the speaker has said, there is less likely to be misunderstandings. How many of you are comfortable stating your truth and your honest opinion in any given situation? Lack of integrity and courage keeps individuals from knowing each other deeply.

Resistance to sharing is epidemic based on a huge fear of "lack" that permeates every aspect of most current societies. Many are creating havoc as a means to control others and gain excessive wealth. Poverty and hunger need not exist if all would simply share their skills and material objects.

Forgiveness is another word for non-judgment. Some beg for forgiveness when they transgress another. Others boldly proclaim that someone owes them an apology before they would even consider forgiving them. Once it is understood that everyone is doing the best they can in any given situation, you will better understand there is no thing and no one to forgive. In the act of "forgiving," you have to place yourself in the position of judge. Who among you has never transgressed another? Who among you decides what is and is not to be forgiven?

Many respect Elders as wisdom keepers, yet, are too busy to stop and encourage them to share their wisdom. There are tomes of knowledge being lost because no one is listening to their stories. Sad indeed are those souls locked into nursing homes with no one to pay attention to what they have to offer.

Gather your families together. Restore the art of storytelling. Encourage the Elders to share their wisdom. Let them know their lives have not been in vain and their experiences will live on forever. Wouldn't you want the same respect in your twilight years?