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Thomas Maples

Inspiration for the Soul

Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.

The Philosopher’s Stone

Psychoanalyst Erik Erikson once stated that “Healthy children will not fear life if their elders have integrity enough not to fear death.” When we look at life from the perspective of our inherent growth, doorways to bliss open where there were once only walls.

Youth is the gift of God. But when it is gone, are we meant to toil? This very question lies at the foundation of Genesis, the book of creation, that warns us of the plight to come. But much like the role of a fairytale, it tells us of one possible outcome.

We all fall into consciousness. Like Adam and Eve, we begin to see the world from a polarized perspective. However, this need not be the eternal case of our story unfolding. Christianity teaches that God forgives us for original sin through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. By accepting a focal point, the life, death, and resurrection of Christ as a focal point, we atone through holy ablution for the a-priori sin of our ancestors. Does this mean we will not bear its consequence? Of course not. Part of the beauty of human life is that we become conscious, as God is, of good and evil. This knowledge and its consequence is the plight of adult life, and one where a return to the original state calls upon us to embark upon a journey to find that psychospiritual gold present in the journey itself.

I once heard that Michelangelo released David from the stone block he carved. What a beautiful way of looking at the brevity of the work he undertook. Perfection realized from a stone block. In its infantile state, the marble slab was a work of art itself, a gift of nature. But in the toiling present, a masterpiece of beauty arose.

Age is a source of beauty to honor. Wisdom is earned, not learned. Maybe we can celebrate that perspective again and see what seeds of art we can learn from the elders that grace our lives.

Blessings, my friends. May joy find you on your journey to advance confidently in the direction of your dreams.

4 comments on “A Work in Progress

  1. Jennifer Arimborgo
    Jennifer Arimborgo says:

    Not sure if my comment went through? Thinking about the amazing potential inside each of us, what God could do with this marble if we let Him!

  2. bigskybuckeye – United States – Born in the Big Sky Country of Montana and now living in the Buckeye State of Ohio, Richard is the creative mind behind Big Sky Buckeye. Retired after 40 years of teaching, I enjoy writing, photography, traveling, and following a healthy lifestyle.
    bigskybuckeye says:

    Thoughtful and encouraging post! The quote from Erikson gives parents their marching orders. A child’s path of life needs a parents’ nurturing and correction along the way.

  3. AmyRose🌹 – I am a Naturalist Visionary creating my world of Love, Beauty, and Truth as I walk this earth in Peace. My Intention is through the means of my blog, I bring to you Faith that this world we live in, no matter the dark illusions that are so rampant these days, can be changed for the better, as those who understand Love, together bring our world back to Her natural state of BEing .... LOVE.
    AmyRose🌹 says:

    I like and respect how you think and see life. Your perspective mirrors mine in many aspects, differently yes for each life is unique. To find freedom within ourselves is a Gift and to achieve that freedom while transpiring on the Path of Life, brings to us miracles unimaginable. With age comes wisdom yes for in looking back at my youth I was but an empty shell waiting for God to fill it according to His Grace and Mercy. And fill He has. Great post and I thank you!

    1. Dr. Thomas Maples – Stockton, California – Dr. Thomas Maples, Ph.D. is a licensed psychotherapist, author, and the founder of The Stockton Therapy Network. As a Marriage and Family Therapist, he has helped many people resolve interpersonal conflict, heal from the emotional distress, and overcome mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and issues that result from personality disorders. He also specializes in helping couples resolve interpersonal problems, marital discord, and parent / child relationship conflicts by helping his clients identify the sources of relationship conflict, find areas of growth they can agree to engage, and setting a plan to enact those changes to assure relational growth. As a researcher and writer, Dr. Maples focuses on developmental, analytical, and psychoanalytic methods of psychology. Through his writings, Dr. Tom has helped countless people understand, plan, and implement effective paths to reach optimal psychological, spiritual, and physiological development. "Advance Confidently in the Direction of Your Dreams."
      Dr. Thomas Maples says:

      Thank you!!! Each day we receive we have another chance to chip away at that miracle of life we are afforded.

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