Uprooting, Upheaval, Uplifting...

As I settle into my senior years, I’ve experienced many an uprooting, upheaval, and—once the dust begins to settle—that quiet feeling of uplifting that starts to permeate my being and my days. 

Some of these occasions were prompted by circumstances beyond my control; others were instigated by perceived needs and wants. In my youth, these times felt like pebbles under my feet—uncomfortable, making for unsure footing—yet resilience was my steadfast companion.

But as each decade flew by, that resilience was stretched and tested. I called upon past lessons, spiritual fortitude, and my guides and angels for their guidance, asking them to steer me toward calmer waters or quiet coves where I could find shelter.

What I have found is that ageing has inched its way in to slow the process beyond what I previously thought possible—yet that should be no surprise. Even into our seventies we can still feel a quiet sense of invincibility, as though the body and mind will simply keep pace with whatever we ask of them. Then reality catches up. It arrives in the form of longer recovery times, heavier paperwork, unexpected fatigue, and the gentle but firm reminder that it is not only wise but necessary to slow down, to ask for assistance, and—most importantly—to offer ourselves the same forgiveness and compassion we so readily extend to others.

I recall the times, when dealing with aging parents, that I dispensed the advice: “Do it now while you still can.” That prompt has hit home as I struggle with the paperwork and the stress of changing provinces in this, my most recent relocation.

And yet, as I find places in my new home for my treasured pieces—my Tibetan Singing Bowls, my statues, my Tarot and Oracle cards—I am coming to terms with a reawakened sense of connection to practices I have neglected during the past five years. Those years were spent more focused on coping with the changing world at large than on my continued metaphysical growth and deeper connections.

Now, with each bowl carefully placed, each card deck nested on a shelf, each statue finding its quiet corner, something long dormant begins to stir again. The uplifting is no longer just a distant hope; it is arriving, softly and steadily, through the simple act of reclaiming what has always been sacred to me.

~ in quiet inclination, ML