Originally published on Rebelle Society
Throughout my life I’ve been told that I am an old Soul. I believe this to be true, though it’s been difficult to reconcile at different stages of my youth. While I’ve always felt a grounded sense of reality and responsibility, I have equally felt inhibited, wishing I could embrace a more childlike abandon. This explains why in the past I’ve played the parental figure in most of my relationships, or why I enjoy shooting the shit with the elderly patrons that frequent my neighborhood café. Overall I appreciate the gifts of foresight that come with being an old Soul, and the older I get, the easier it becomes to bridge the gap between it and my physical age.
Throughout my life I’ve been told that I am an old Soul. I believe this to be true, though it’s been difficult to reconcile at different stages of my youth. While I’ve always felt a grounded sense of reality and responsibility, I have equally felt inhibited, wishing I could embrace a more childlike abandon. This explains why in the past I’ve played the parental figure in most of my relationships, or why I enjoy shooting the shit with the elderly patrons that frequent my neighborhood café. Overall I appreciate the gifts of foresight that come with being an old Soul, and the older I get, the easier it becomes to bridge the gap between it and my physical age.
Mindfulness practices such as yoga and meditation help to enhance the merging experience I seek. I’ve even started journaling in prose sparks of clarity revealed; doing so offers a direct understanding while getting to the crux of my growth. Meanwhile, progress is steady as I continue to be inundated with sudden flashes of insight. Here are 10 things I’ve learned, thus far, in my attempt to catch up with my Soul:
1) The beauty of emotional freedom is not that you no longer care, but that you care enough to surrender to what you feel. Every joy, ache and sentiment that enters my heart will be given equal time. No matter how gut wrenching or engulfing the emotion may be, I will embrace it and wallow in it until I’m ready to release it.
2) Dear Women, don’t be afraid of your inherent power. All women are beautiful and strong, period. The fact that we are equipped to bring life into this world is a mighty thing in and of itself; it’s called a miracle. If you’re a woman who doubts herself in any way, this one God-given ability should be enough to bring you back to your senses.
3) If you’re going to invite difficult lessons and experiences into your life, make sure your teacher is worthy. If you choose to go to battle with others, choose wisely and fight hard. Do not enter into a situation where the odds are against you, unless you are prepared for underdog success, or the ultimate defeat.
4) As you decline only the potential for love, you learn what it means to love wholeheartedly. Love is all consuming. If you stand to only get a taste or bits and pieces, then look elsewhere, starting with you. The goal should be to make yourself available to receive love in abundance.
5) Life’s too short for anything to ever be too late. I’ve been reborn a number of times, with my latest “death” occurring now in my early 30s. I will always welcome the opportunity to start again.
6) On rare occasions you cry because you’re so overwhelmed with gratitude. Life is not always easy, which is why it’s so important to be grateful for every breath and new day we are given. To be filled with gratitude is probably the best high you will ever experience.
7) People who are inspired are inspiring. Instead of finding validation through others, use their personal stories of achievement as inspiration to validate yourself. Universal connection is really all that is required as motivation to create purposeful lives.
8) Everybody’s an artist. Whether you play an instrument, crochet, write horoscopes or do voice over work, we're all blessed with creative talents. If you are not an artist in the traditional sense, that just makes your gift even more unique.
9) 50 percent of the things you think that other people think are really just things that you think. Your thoughts are powerful, but most importantly, your thoughts are your own. Express them, accept them, expand them, share and be open with them, but never force or project them.
10) To confuse compassion with gullibility or weakness is a dangerous thing. More often than not, a good deed really is a good deed, and some people really do have only good intentions. We must learn to put more faith in humanity.
There’s plenty more I’ve come to realize over the years. So much so that I doubt I will ever fully be able to walk side by side with my old Soul; it seems to always be two steps ahead. But at least I’m edging closer, and luckily I have also learned that if I’m patient with time, time will be patient with me. As long as I am dedicated to discovering the teachings of my old Soul, fresh wisdom will forever be on hand and within reach.
1) The beauty of emotional freedom is not that you no longer care, but that you care enough to surrender to what you feel. Every joy, ache and sentiment that enters my heart will be given equal time. No matter how gut wrenching or engulfing the emotion may be, I will embrace it and wallow in it until I’m ready to release it.
2) Dear Women, don’t be afraid of your inherent power. All women are beautiful and strong, period. The fact that we are equipped to bring life into this world is a mighty thing in and of itself; it’s called a miracle. If you’re a woman who doubts herself in any way, this one God-given ability should be enough to bring you back to your senses.
3) If you’re going to invite difficult lessons and experiences into your life, make sure your teacher is worthy. If you choose to go to battle with others, choose wisely and fight hard. Do not enter into a situation where the odds are against you, unless you are prepared for underdog success, or the ultimate defeat.
4) As you decline only the potential for love, you learn what it means to love wholeheartedly. Love is all consuming. If you stand to only get a taste or bits and pieces, then look elsewhere, starting with you. The goal should be to make yourself available to receive love in abundance.
5) Life’s too short for anything to ever be too late. I’ve been reborn a number of times, with my latest “death” occurring now in my early 30s. I will always welcome the opportunity to start again.
6) On rare occasions you cry because you’re so overwhelmed with gratitude. Life is not always easy, which is why it’s so important to be grateful for every breath and new day we are given. To be filled with gratitude is probably the best high you will ever experience.
7) People who are inspired are inspiring. Instead of finding validation through others, use their personal stories of achievement as inspiration to validate yourself. Universal connection is really all that is required as motivation to create purposeful lives.
8) Everybody’s an artist. Whether you play an instrument, crochet, write horoscopes or do voice over work, we're all blessed with creative talents. If you are not an artist in the traditional sense, that just makes your gift even more unique.
9) 50 percent of the things you think that other people think are really just things that you think. Your thoughts are powerful, but most importantly, your thoughts are your own. Express them, accept them, expand them, share and be open with them, but never force or project them.
10) To confuse compassion with gullibility or weakness is a dangerous thing. More often than not, a good deed really is a good deed, and some people really do have only good intentions. We must learn to put more faith in humanity.
There’s plenty more I’ve come to realize over the years. So much so that I doubt I will ever fully be able to walk side by side with my old Soul; it seems to always be two steps ahead. But at least I’m edging closer, and luckily I have also learned that if I’m patient with time, time will be patient with me. As long as I am dedicated to discovering the teachings of my old Soul, fresh wisdom will forever be on hand and within reach.
