Who are your elders?

Who are your elders?

Yesterday was the 90th birthday of Dr Jane Goodall, a woman I've been fortunate to meet several times whilst living out in Tanzania, and a woman I hold as one of my elders. Her grace, wisdom and deep connection with the wider natural world are well respected, but one of the things I truly appreciate about Jane is her child-like spirit. Her eyes are constantly sparkling and wide-open to wonder, seemingly always seeking and connecting to the magic and beauty of our world.

I took a walk yesterday on her birthday to visit another elder of mine. This particular being has been around for a long time - between 1200 and 1400 years - and is one of the deepest foundations of wisdom I know. The yew tree stands, or rather meanders, throughout the graveyard in Stoke Gabriel, a small village in South Devon, and being in her presence is like being in a liminal space.

Whilst the world has been turning, this beautiful tree stood strong. Stood strong whilst we sent the first man to the moon. Stood strong during the French Revolution. Stood strong since even before the Norman conquest in 1066

Being in the presence of an elder always gives me a feeling of reverence and possibility. Somehow the depth of wisdom and insight they hold is just quietly within, not needing to be spoken often, but always heard if you're willing to listen. And there are always such moments of wisdom and guidance to be heard when you do.

I am fortunate to have many elders in my life - not all of them older (for an elder in spirit does not mean an elder in years) but all of them carrying this same heart-wood of silent strength and grace within them.

Sending gratitude and birthday wishes to Jane and to the eldering that she offers so many people across the world as she stands strong in her own beautiful way.

#elders #wisdom #grace #learning #reverence #connection #activelistening