As decades pass, values shift. As phases of life are completed and new phases begin, values shift and evolve. What was important may lose or gain relevance, be changed or downgraded. New values may replace old.
The importance of being in fashion may shift to comfort and practicality. Some possessions and responsibilities may become burdensome and deemed unnecessary and a shift to a simpler life may be desirable. As short term goals are satisfied, long term goals may become more logical. What other people deem important may not matter as much as our own opinions. Pleasing others may shift to making sure our own needs are met. The list of what I shouldn't do gets shorter, and what I want to do may get more status.
We learn to listen to our own voice and value our unique, one-of-a-kind self. As we accumulate past experiences and our outlook on the future matures, we make better decisions. A flexible and inquisitive frame of mind keeps us relevant to others but more importantly to ourselves. We may improve our ability to influence others. Wisdom enters in as we age. We should appreciate it and not let anyone diminish it.
Some of us remember learning to drive a stick shift and then later having the ease of an automatic. We still have to get out of neutral to move forward. In order to move forward in our thinking, in order to evolve, our mind needs to shift gears. We can value the past and honor our elders, even build on their wisdom, yet not value their opinions more than our own. Use your freedom, allow yourself to go forward and let your values shift.
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