The Fourth Bite

Elephants have mental abilities that exceed our comprehension.  They have a long memory which allows them to keep track of navigation information to access water and food vast distances away.  Their minds are capable of processing human language, and differentiating between enemies who prey on them and less harmful voices.  Most importantly, they share this knowledge.  They pass this wisdom from generation to generation through a matriarchal system.  The younger elephants listen to their elders and learn.  

Here lies our problem as humans.  Often we don't take the time to slow down and seek the guidance of those who have come before us.  An African Proverb says, Youth can walk faster, but the elderly know the road.  We feel faster, smarter, and stronger than those dried up leaves that loom higher in our family tree.  We feel as if we have it all under control, until we don't. We get lost on the path to the watering hole of rest, opportunity, healing, and second chances we so desperately need, and we don't know which way to turn.  There are no cell towers, and all of our familiar resources are useless.  

The beautiful thing is, when we finally reach out for that wisdom, it is never disappointing.  Our elders always find a way to make our problems or circumstances feel so possible to navigate.  They have made the mistakes we face, and they want to help us avoid those pitfalls, if we are only willing to listen and learn.  To follow their lead.   They say that when an elder dies, a library is lost and volumes of knowledge and wisdom are gone.  

Today, while chewing on this forth bite, if you are facing a pitfall or crossroad in your life and you don't know how to climb out or which direction to turn, seek the wisdom of your elders.  Don't wait until it is too late.  Soak up all the advice they have to offer.  All the personal guidance, life hacks, remedies, and old sayings they have to share. I promise it won't be a waste of your time. I'm going to have coffee with my Dad. He is one of my favorite elephants to listen to!  Remember, I believe in you!