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Listening to the Heart Blog

Living, exploring, expressing, spiraling the journey of womanhood one breath at a time, one day at a time, one achievement at a time, one blessing at a time.

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Calling All Elders

4/3/2014

4 Comments

 
PictureThanks to San Hartman for the photo. http://sanhartman.weebly.com/
For several years I have been longing for the wisdom of elders. Recently, while sitting in a circle of women ranging in age from 30-something to 60-something, I heard a similar longing voiced by all. In my own self-absorption I failed to realize that women older than myself were also feeling the ache of the lost elders.

In general, I think our society has forgotten the value of elders, and in so doing, many elders have forgotten, or never realized, their own value. In a world where youth is privileged is it any surprise that elders have forgotten their value? Without our listening, encouraging ears, elders are unlikely to share their wisdom with us... and in this present world, we desperately need their voices.

When I speak of elders, I do not only mean people older than myself, but people who, through deep self-exploration and the overcoming of hardships, have gained a level of wisdom, strength, and clarity of sight so that their presence in the world serves as a guiding light  for future generations.

An elder I am friends with recently said, "We are all elders to someone." Those words resonate deeply, and are an important consideration. Often the term "elder" connotes someone much older, but the truth is that anyone, either chronologically older, or experientially older, can be considered an elder. And so, we all have insights and wisdom to share; some simply don't recognize their value, or are not given the opportunity to share their wisdom. That being said, I think it is important to value those older than us, and listen deeply to their heart song. There are many songs to learn, many skills to be preserved, many stories to be shared in those who have lived for many moons.

Today, we stand on the threshold of a world disintegrating at the hands of pollution, corporate greed, and wide spread apathy. Even so,  many are beginning to wake up, and I think those awakening are doing so because of the support of ancestors (seen and unseen) and elders. One reason we have fallen so far from a place that honors the earth, human life, and personal interactions is that we have devalued our elders, and in so doing have failed to allow them to convey their wisdom. Arrogance has told us that our stories are more important; our desires are more valuable; our insights more significant. We have lost their stories, their songs, their wisdom. We have forgotten that though a body changes, the spirit is eternal, valuable, and wise. I believe when we turn our attention to listening, encouraging, and honoring our elders' wisdom we will see that our elders will flourish with a vibrance ready to sew their seeds in the fertile soil of our hearts and lives; and from these seeds a new earth will begin to rise up.

So, how do we call the elders forth? How do we remind them of their value? How do we encourage our elders to share their wisdom with us? 

We can sit with them in circle. A circle of two perhaps. We can sip tea, or coffee, do artwork, or ask them questions about relationships, children, our fears, our dreams. If we listen, if we share, if we make time for them, I believe the world will shift, our hearts will open, and a world in harmony will spring up stronger and more sustainable than ever.

 "...it is up to us learn how to sing again in that ancient way, so that we might be the ancestors that our descendants will sing to."    ~ Craig Paterson of Temple Wind Flute

4 Comments
Patti Lindgren link
4/3/2014 10:50:11 am

Thank you for this Suzy. Great piece and bang on, it seems to me. As an emergent Elder myself, what you say about being recognized is very true. We don't know what we are until we are reflected by others in relationship, and to put focus on the idea of Eldership is to reflect it back and make it stronger. Very insightful piece. xoxoxo

Reply
Suzette Summers
4/3/2014 04:25:24 pm

Patti, I'm glad this spoke to you. Your experiences and wisdom are valuable gifts meant to be shared... I hope I have inspired you to share these blessings more fully with the world... I know you already are... Thank you for your willingness.... and for being an inspiration... ~love~

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Sophia Bonnie Wdoin link
4/3/2014 10:58:39 am

Thank you, Suzy. Your wisdom calls forth the wisdom lodged within each of us. As you say, this is so needed now and always.

Reply
Suzette Summers
4/3/2014 04:29:27 pm

Thank you for acknowledging the resonance you feel, Sophia... I hope I am able to honor and encourage more elders to value themselves and share their wisdom with us all... yes, as you say, we do need this now, and always... this sharing and connection is powerful medicine capable of creating a nexus of support for our present world, and the next seven generations...

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    Suzette Winona Summers M.A. is a mother, writer, artist, and circler of women following the call of her heart to empower herself, her sisters, and the world. Suzette embraces her purpose of birthing a new world through one breath at a time, one step at a time, walking through fear, disappointments, and difficulties into the light of a new day. 

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