Respecting the Cycles of Others: Wisdom Across Generations

The speakers explore the themes of wisdom gained through life experiences, the challenges and opportunities of aging, and the importance of embracing life's present moments.   "I'm so much more wiser with that." They discuss the generational differences in perspectives on life and aging, the significance of staying active and engaged, and the spiritual growth that accompanies the 7 year Cycles of Life. "Stay the course all the way to the end."  

• Wisdom accumulates over time and experiences.
• Young people are often "old souls with young bodies."
• Aging brings in new thoughts to discern.
• Spiritual awareness unfolds with maturity.
• Embrace life's opportunities as they arise.
• Limiting thoughts can accelerate the aging process.
• Surrounding oneself with energetic people can inspire enthusiasm.
• Recognizing different life cycles helps in understanding others.
• Life is too short to not be enthusiastic about one's journey.

Discover spiritual truths delivered in a practical way in these three e-books created by The Wayshowers College. Use discount code TNT2025 to receive 20% off the set.

Enjoy the first chapter of The Soul Quake Survival Guide here!

Chapters

• 0:00 Wisdom Through the Ages: Cycles of Life
• 6:56 Reflections on Aging and Retirement
• 12:59 Embracing Life's Opportunities
• 18:39 Cycles of Life and Spiritual Growth

Transcript

TNT SpiritWorks (00:00.951)
It's interesting to me how as we are here longer on the planet through our journeys, how oftentimes we come across things that we maybe go, God, I'm so much more wiser with that, how it shows up now than how it used to. And I've noticed for myself the last week or two that there's been different situations that has come up about really recognizing the wisdom I've put together for myself from the couple of decades I've been here, like almost six.

So Tom, know that you and I have been regrouping a bit about where we're at in our lives in the cycles. And so I'd like you to just share a bit about what you've put together lately, what's come up for you about this. Yeah, well, this conversation started when we were kind of comparing notes on some of the younger people that we work with and some of the thoughts that I know that I've been experiencing as I'm a very mature guy in the workplace.

from a chronological age point of view. to the others, yes. Yeah, compared to the others. And a couple of things that really strike me is how the young folks actually have a lot of talent and wisdom. And I can see that their old souls and young bodies or younger bodies kind of a thing. And from a spiritual perspective, I often think like, they could be like my grandfather's era.

people that have come back now. And of course, they're going to be, you know, sharp and have some wisdom and sensitivity. And then the other angle was noticing that as I've moved through life, as I've moved through my seven year cycles, even though that I've done a lot of my spiritual work, or, you know, worked on myself from that spiritual perspective, or which really is just unfolding, you know, more spiritual awareness over time.

and naturally maturing as well, that the different types of thoughts start to move in at different ages. Things that didn't concern me 10, 15 years ago, I start to have thoughts about that. And really what I'm talking about is some of those thoughts about being older and getting older and some of the concerns that come up. And I also notice it amongst my peers that are in a similar

TNT SpiritWorks (02:25.071)
age group. Yeah, for myself, know the thing that for my for understanding about who we are as a soul and the guidance we have and that we all come from one, you know, one place, the universe, God, the all whatever. And for me, recognizing these truths has given me such what I want to say this, it's given me more backing.

really that's the word it's given me more backing to work with situations that years ago I may have been stressed about, thought were chaotic, maybe even stimulated me really a lot inside. so, and I know this just a few months ago, my one of my daughters had had a child. And so I've just recently been connected with and it's been so wonderful seeing her interact with this young soul in a physical body and

me stepping back and allowing her to have her experiences. And it's interesting because like she has a mother-in-law who doesn't step back, who steps in and who tries to instigate and give her two cents worth. so my daughter gets a little stimulated by that, which I totally understand because years ago when I was in the place I was at energetically, I didn't understand about

you know, just accepting where people are at and, you know, not being stimulated by their, ways they want to come across towards other others. So I guess that's my big part. And like you said, because you and I both work in jobs where we have young people and, you know, most of, I would say half of my coworkers are in their twenties and the rest are in their late forties and fifties. So it's interesting dynamic to interact with

such wise people and such, you know, young people with such knowledge, but yet understand like the spiritual part of life. It's, quite different. I guess what I hear you saying and what I heard this morning from both of us is that, boy, you know, we've learned something along the way and, we don't have the same reactions to things, you know, for the stress as we did, you know, when we were younger. And I'm in an opportunity though, where I get to kind of revisit

TNT SpiritWorks (04:44.045)
because I'm in a certain environment that sort of reminds me of areas that I haven't fully regrouped yet. And I might get a little stressed and that kind of thing. And one of the things that really strikes me, and Robin mentioned this a bit in his interview with you, with regards to healing himself of cancer, Robin Timso, which is great episode, that to keep competing,

keep that pressure of I'm competing through life is as I get older, I think there's more wear and tear there. And almost I've wondered from a spiritual perspective, is this why we kind of age and you you've got to wind down physically because in a way it allows me to go, okay, wait, I can't really operate the way I used to operate. My body's not going to take it anymore. I'm too sensitive now.

And I'm, you I'm kind of over it. And one of the solutions is just to really relax and allow the flow of energy and respect myself and all those things we've been sharing about. But what I'd also wanted to kind of cover is like, what are some of the thoughts that start coming up as one hits those retirement age years and then what happens physically afterwards? So, I thought I'd share a little bit about that.

Yeah, that'd be great. Okay. So, I think one of the thoughts that really is pervasive is that, okay, I'm a certain age now and I should be retired or I need to retire. And then as I'm out and about, and I play music with older musicians, you know, who have retired, like officially retired and not doing any sort of, business work, you know, anymore, they're, they're just playing music and living off the retirement.

and social security and so forth is I noticed they start to think old as well. And one of the things I enjoy about being active and, you know, I'm healthy and in good shape is that I'm still involved, you know, within my environment because there's still things to refine and rather than just escape them.

TNT SpiritWorks (07:03.599)
And I mean, I don't mind if somebody's, you know, retired and they're taking a breather and they've kind of accomplished enough spiritually this lifetime, great. But I've started to become aware of the thoughts that creep in, you know, and, and the kinds of discussions that people start having. And then it seems to me how I'll, I'll, have a theory that it sort of accelerates the aging process when I start thinking old.

And just accepting or allowing that thought to say, I'm getting up a little slower. I'm getting old, you know, just saying that to yourself instead of, Hey, maybe I need to do some more squats, you know, because I don't move enough around or maybe I need to eat healthier or that kind of thing. Well, it's interesting. should bring this up about age because, I was just at an event last night at a concert with one of my friends who today she's turning 69.

And a couple came up to us afterwards. And so, okay, we were in the back. And so we were standing up dancing as we do. And then the guy's like, hey, I wanna come down front. And of course we just jammed up front, right? But most of the crowd sat, most of the crowd didn't move. And I didn't look at what age they were or anything. was just having a super fun time. But afterwards, a couple, a young couple actually in their late 40s, mid to late 40s.

came up to us and said, hey, we loved watching you guys dance. And we're like, okay, yeah, we had a blast. And my friend said, you know, I recognized years ago that she also understands spiritually and recognizes the importance of, you know, being in the present and how to work with spirit and et cetera. you know, we're of like mind in the sense of how to kind of chat with people and understand and give them a different perspective. So she said to this couple that,

I recognized a few years back the importance that when I'm in the present and something happens that I just need to work with it and go with it. She goes, because I may look back when I'm 80 or 85 and go, you know, I wish I didn't let all those opportunities slip by when I could have gotten up and dance at that concert. could have, you know, went down and met that person. could have like the things to not hold back. And it's interesting because that really just, I know for, you know,

TNT SpiritWorks (09:23.195)
moment it just gave me that inspiration of yeah, is so important in these in the moments of our lives, no matter what they are, to really embrace them and to just go full throttle, right? Throttle up. and I'd say also just start noticing the thoughts that will creep in like, okay, I'm a certain age. So now, you know, I should just sit here or

you know, whatever the concept it's, I'm becoming for me a person of my maturity to go up and, you know, go wild. Of course, many people these days are having the time of their life as they, the boomers, as they retire and they get in, they're really still active. There's many that are still active. but the reason that I'm sharing this is because I notice how these thoughts can come up within me, know, and then I'm like, hell's no Tom. then, which is another solution, you know, surround yourself.

with people that are more active. And the truth is, is I am very fortunate. I'm physically fit and I can maintain fitness and I feel great and that kind of thing. So, I think it's really important that I go, wait a minute, is that a thought I want to buy into? How true is that? So I can work with my guidance, you know, that, all right, well, maybe physically changes are happening. And it is a funny thing. Age just does happen.

I mean, it's not like I have any consciousness awareness of it, but I don't have to fall into those habit patterns of limitation. And then one of the things that strikes me, so maybe that's a first benchmark is like, is this a limiting thought or is this a thought that's gonna expand me? And then what do I wanna replace it with? And I noticed that...

I might take a little more time to do something, but I still can follow the same procedures. And, I noticed, you know, I'm very active. Like I worked yesterday, then I had a gig and I, I'm a drummer. as you know, and, I'm up and unpacking and lugging in and setting up and, all that, and then playing three hours, three sets of music and that kind of thing. And I did notice that after, I think a five hour shift I had yesterday that

TNT SpiritWorks (11:43.28)
You know, I was a bit tired and I wasn't as fresh at the gig as I have been because gig might be three hours set, but it's like, it's a, at least two more hours, probably setting up, taking down and then, and then a drive home and that kind of thing. And actually I feel so fortunate that I'm able to do all that. And if I actually ask myself, how do I feel inside? You know, I feel great. I feel as, you know, I feel like a young man inside.

And of course I'm tired. A young person would be tired after a similar schedule in the same day. So I think, you know, the other, the other solution would be, use it or lose it, you know, use my opportunities to learn new things. I was talking to a fellow yesterday as I was helping him, at, at work. And, he was a bit older than me. I'd say maybe about the same age or something.

and he'd been retired for 11 years. That's why I think he's a bit older, but he had said that he was learning classical guitar, you know, and how he had tried before, but you know, now he's got some time. And I thought, that's great, you know, because he's going to use his brain and he's going to use his fingers and, you know, it takes some time to develop that skill, but, you know, go for it, you know, kind of a thing. And I think our friend,

Dr. Paul Kellogg shared something in a recent episode, the last episode of enthusiastically spiritual that you recorded was, you know, what's the, what's the secret to enthusiasm? And it was my words, but some find something that turns you on or really, you know, feels good to be involved with and inspire you. And, you know, the way he put it, was like that little, Hey,

I feel like doing this or let's get into that. So off you went and that from that little spark, the enthusiasm can build. And I think it comes full circle to what you're saying is, that, you know, you don't why look back, you know, in 10 or 15 or 20 years and go, Oh, I could have done this or I could have done that.

TNT SpiritWorks (14:04.931)
I think your guidance was probably when we pass on those are some of the conversations we have, you know, you had all this time or you were about to, as long as you stayed the course and followed your feelings and followed your heart, you were going to round the bend and we were setting that up for you or. Yeah, I was just going to go into that into the feeling of it because that's really for myself. That's an important aspect of the spiritual part because we can't see the spiritual part, but we can feel it.

And it starts with that feel and then that think and then that acting on stuff. you know, the feeling and intellect, which we talk about a lot and recognizing for myself and honoring the different cycles that everybody's in. Like my daughter, she's in her twenties, you know, like that's a whole different cycle than what I'm at. so we're all, lot of the half of the people I work with are in that cycle. And so they are maturing, they're growing, they're expanding.

And so am I. like what you said about, you know, all the way to the end, cause people just like, I don't know, there's this give up mentality or yeah, can rest on my laurels or I can sit here in this chair. And in fact, I just want to interject. Like that's the idea, the concept that they have about success. Yeah. And that's what really brings them down. Yeah.

And I, know, I, I know for you too, and really for both of us being around a lot of younger people does also inspire me because their energy is still very high and they're, you know, excited about life or they're having experiences that excite them. But then you get around a bunch of old people and oftentimes they can be Debbie Downers and they can bring, bring the, the energy down because they, they've lost that luster for, for enthusiasm, the luster for really

being in the present and really enjoying life. And I think that's why grandkids are so wonderful because it's a whole new journey of a new soul coming in and all the experiences. And so that's what I noticed in that aspect because it's just such a beautiful moment and time to know, okay, here comes the next generation. Yeah, it's a healing to be in that energy that's reincarnated in from D-zone, delight, destination, direction.

TNT SpiritWorks (16:17.685)
And they re-inspire us because they're just all feeling and it reminds us, yeah, that's where I begin and end is, you know, back in the world of spirit and the world of feelings. anyway, so that's part of my statement about cycles of life. every seven years, and I'm in the cycle of inner peace, greatest works, those kinds of things, later cycles, you're in the cycle of decision.

And, um, other folks are in different cycles. What's a key to, to wind this up with, um, some inspiration for the listeners out there and their whatever cycle they're in. Stay the course all the way to the end. That's all. Stay the course. Well, every day is an unfoldment. I mean, can be, it can be that simple, honestly. Yeah. I think can be an unfoldment. Oh, and I guess we were talking about another idea.

that I'd like to share is that we were talking about the...

fact that like the spiritual work doesn't have to be 24 hours a day. It's just like, what is the spiritual part of this thing that I'm involved with? And it's usually in that feeling, in that feeling area. And there is a material part, you know, there's the taking care of our bodies and that kind of thing. So as I get older, or we retire, I think we sort of

come back on the material part, you know, like the material part is well, okay, I've made it, I did this, I did it for so long. And but that doesn't mean the spiritual part needs to shut down. I mean, the spiritual part still can be an ongoing aha moments, you know, every day. Okay, how about that? So my takeaway from the cycle of life is to just recognize for myself and the

TNT SpiritWorks (18:22.861)
the listener is that just recognize where you're at and recognize that everyone else around you may be at different places. Like even Tom and I were at different cycles. So just recognizing that as we move through the day and move through our lives together makes a difference because he's 11 years older than me. So there's a big difference, you know, cycle that's almost one and a half.

you know, sevens, right? Seven times two is 14. yeah, you're way ahead of me. And so I recognize that, you know, I have a lot more life than you'd left. right. So thank you for listening to another episode of enthusiastically spiritual. We hope that you gain some insights on whatever cycle you're in, maybe some inspiration to really enjoy it and to participate fully, especially with those around you who are in their cycles. So until next week, remember that.

Life is too short to not be enthusiastic about your unique journey.