How Are The Mighty Fallen

These are the words spoken to me today as I tried to explain something of my perspective on life and what I currently see as my role in helping to make this world a better place. I was reminded that just a few short years ago I had a good job, a young family, a nice car and a desirable home. Indeed, I enjoyed all the trappings of worldly success. To my friend I was wasting my education and now pursuing a fantasy in my belief in nutrition and natural approaches to health. “Don’t you think you might be more credible if you were a proper doctor?” I think my “No I don’t” response just confirmed my madness. Certainly the paradigm in which I’m living today is so far removed from that to which I was formerly shackled, and in which my family and friends still believe, that I’m not surprised at their misunderstanding. In their eyes I’ve ‘fallen off the wagon’,’ gone on a trip’, lost the plot’ etc. In my reality I’ve discovered a precious stone and will sell everything to buy the field in which it lies. The change has cost me more than money – the point at which it’s recommended one stops drinking. But I don’t drink and I don’t smoke. My behaviour is tolerated as that of a mild eccentric so that many long standing friends no longer call. Yes, it’s a lonely station at times, but I’m strangely happy. I am blessed to have everything I need and to live in a society which supports those it knows are making an effort. I’m learning to live frugally and to know the value of things that have no price. My only sorrow is that I didn’t reach this point 20 years earlier. I’m forever grateful to my many teachers in life; they helped me to become who I am today. But I know not to look backwards; it won’t help me to see where I’m going.