Ancient Aboriginals have a rich culture centered around family, nature and tradition.
In Tasmania, Aboriginal warriors would often paint their faces.
A painted line on the forehead represents the self. Lines on each cheek represent the knowledge one attains in life. The portion where the cheeks meet the nose is intentionally left blank.
The blank area represents the knowledge one has yet to attain in this life.
A researcher and Psychologist from the National Institute of Aging noted that personality traits change little after the age of 30. In short, people are set in their ways, and change of any kind is limited.
I know this isn’t you.
The beginner’s mind is a term from Zen Buddism. It means having an attitude of openness and eagerness.
As we age, many lose the beginner’s mind.
They have accepted the world as it is, instead of how it could be.
If we are not open to change and new ideas, we can’t grow, and without growth, we are not alive, which is separate from living.
One we do unconsciously (breathing for example), the other we do consciously, which means with deliberation (service to others for example).
To be alive is to look at each day as a gift. It’s to understand that you aren’t obligated to bring the storms of yesterday into today. It’s to realize, that without fully understanding why you are here, you can still be grateful.
Every day we are gifted with 86,400 seconds.
Make each one count.
“The more you know yourself, the more clarity there is. Self-knowledge has no end – you don’t come to an achievement, you don’t come to a conclusion. It is an endless river.”
Jiddu Krishnamurti
With Love,
Anand