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Natural Awakenings South Central Pennsylvania

The Learners Will Inherit the Earth

Jan 30, 2018 05:13PM ● By Dave Korba

Dave Korba

“In times of change, the learners will inherit the Earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” – Eric Hoffer

It’s snowing as I write this letter, and I’m remembering when I was 8 years old; bundled up in coat, gloves, scarf and hat, shoveling waist-high snow, building snow forts and having snowball fights with family and friends. I can feel my cold, red cheeks while sitting at the kitchen table laughing with my siblings, sipping hot chocolate before heading back into the snow.

The memory is fond and the recollection strong. A part of me yearns for those simple days of childhood, when all was well and I was safe, warm and protected.

My sentimentality for the simple days of childhood has a mixed message, because not only do I cherish those memories, there is also a part of me that longs to maintain the status quo of a safe, warm and protected childhood. Who doesn’t? Why can’t things be simpler and easy, like when we were kids? Why does everything have to change?

Happy memories are comforting, and it is fun to escape into fantasy once in a while, yet our journey of personal growth is fraught with the one constant in life – change. It’s human nature to seek the familiar and to be more comfortable with what is known. Those of us raised to expect and weather the unexpected are likely to be more resilient in the face of change.

For those of us that may not have yet strengthened our resilience muscles, be sure to read April Thompson’s feature story Rising Above Adversity for resources and methods for surviving, adapting to and thriving through change. And local contributor Spero Lappas also shares his thoughts about accommodating the flow of life’s changes.

February is the perfect time to start a consistent practice of self-love by adopting a practice of open-heartedness and creating a Valentine to ourselves. Find a way to give yourself a Valentine of self-love each day throughout February and every day of the year. Your Valentine from Natural Awakenings is waiting for you in our Inspiration department on page 39.

Hugs and Happy Valentine’s Day to you as you remember to feel good, live simply and laugh more.

Even

After

All this time

The Sun never says

To the Earth,

“You owe me.”

Look

What happens

With a love like that,

It lights the

Whole

Sky.

 

~ Hafiz