KEEP THE OLD WARM

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. – Socrates

This quote is a real quote attributed to Socrates, but it not from the ancient Greek philosopher. It’s a quote from a character nicknamed Socrates from the book Way of the Peaceful Warrior. 

Regardless, it has helped me in my life and I believe it can help others.

It is a simple statement, yet a subtly difficult task. The difference is between these words and their completion in action. This is a common theme of language (we honor our words with action in time). We honor what we preach by doing it. Otherwise, we annoy ourselves and others. Let’s build our words.

Fighting the old: I have felt the “negative consequences” from failing to “follow through” on my words with action – from continuing to fight my old ways and fail to build the new. I preach the new ways I will be, the new things I do, yet end up failing and fighting with old habits and ways, making the same mistakes. The results have been sense of guilt, shame, defeat, dread, and death. I eventually (and more subconsciously) give into despair, nihilism, masochism, sociopath thoughts, etc., when I fail to implement what I preach. I conjurer up every excuse in the book: pathetic, pitiful, tragic excuses. In all, my courage to build the new is entirely lacking and a creature of resentment grows out of this.

Experience within this sad reality of empty words, under a swamp of a festering complex and its corrupting discharge, in an old, wet cave of selfish whispers and petty desires, I have “suffered myself” – nasty things….quite nasty. Seeing how useless and pathetic I could push myself to be, I was there given a glimpse of, a call from, pulled away from this darkness, by its opposite.

I’ve now had experience with a “light”; full of courage, hope, spirit, strength, patience, presence, and Love. This light fuels my ability to “build the New” and is difficult when one begins. There is a past full of treachery and self-deceit – the old ways. Yet the ability to step away and out of these shadows, the pits of Utumno, is to find something New.

Learn from old wisdom and modern mentors to dispel your old harmful ways. Focus on building a new life and living a new way. Focus, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.

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* Fighting the old is being fixated on your old and negative ways. It is not to say to disregard wisdom and treasured memories of the past. To change your ways, focus on that which you envision with hope and love for the future. Focus. Focus. Focus. And DO.