I’m grateful for what is old. Any time I’m around an old tree, I sit in AWE. There is something so special to me about being around something so old. I love going to museums with ancient artifacts. I also love being around people sharing great wisdom, and all great wisdom is ancient. People just find new ways to present it through their personal experiences. I can sit and listen to stories about people’s lifetimes all day long. I’m fascinated by people’s stories. I ask a lot of questions! I’m surrounded by old things, and I love it!

I was recently having a conversation with a friend about my first stuffed animal named Leppy, though technically I think she is a Cheetah. I still have her. I still consider her my protector. I remember she kept me safe in my dreams. I’ve moved all over the USA over the years and I didn’t hold on to much, but I held on to her. Thinking of her brings back so many memories.

I’ve also been blessed to hold onto to many long-term friendships. My oldest is now just over 40 years. I’ve known a handful of closest friends for 35 years, which includes my partner. I remember playing a name game called True Love with our names in fifth grade, our names together gave us a very high score for true love. The beauty of these friendships are the stories and the growth. We can go long stretches without talking and then pick up like no time has passed at all. I have one friend who I met just over 13 years ago, our relationship has based around our spiritual journeys which have aligned since the day we met. Her and I talk every week. Whenever I say I’m reading a book with a friend, that’s usually her. These old relationships provide my life with so much tremendous depth. Then there are the friendships that are relatively new, but something about them feels so old and familiar. Those always tend to come with lots of surprises.

I’ve fallen more in love with my life the older I get. It took me awhile, but I learned how to be my own best friend. Doing that took time, but in the old, I found new life.

Today, I commit to appreciating what is old. Just writing the words puts me in a deep state of appreciation. Tears are welling up in my eyes as I begin thinking about all the amazing people and things to appreciate. Just looking at this picture, I’m taken back to this ancient forest in North Carolina where I walked in total AWE as I tried to see the tops of these amazing trees. I felt so incredibly small, yet apart of something so vast.

Memories of family and friends come flooding back as I think of dancing in my grandparents grand ballroom on Christmas Eve with all my cousins. I remember running up and down the stairs of their old colonial house that once housed my mom along with her 12 brothers and sisters. I even remember specific creaks to let me know if the person was closing in on my hiding place. Then I think of meeting my oldest friend hiding behind the opposite sides of the same rock in my front yard as our moms introduced themselves to each other. So many amazing memories.

When I sit in appreciation for what is old, I have a peace about me. I feel grounded, like these trees. Notice, it’s the energy of love, abundance, and peace tying all of this together.

With Love, Abundance, and Peace,

©Rachael Wolff 2021

Author of Letters from a Better Me: How Becoming an Empowered Woman Transforms the World — Click the cover to find out more.