I particularly appreciate this at this exact time in my life. I am 56 years old, and, after being a solitary practitioner and pilgrim for over 30 years, I just got accepted into the University of Minnesota in Religious Studies. It has also been my experience that one does not have to pursue things at the set time that society expects. I didnβt take up cycling and long distance bike touring until I was already in my 50s. That got me clean from a decade of substance use and opened up the world for me in entirely new ways at the time my peers all seemed to be settling in to late middle age narratives about being too old for this and that. These linear, conformist, and largely capitalist ideas about who you are supposed to be at such and such an age are such colossal bullshit. Thank you for that reminder. We follow the compass of our own souls; itβs a lifelong pilgrimage.
Congratulations! I got my Master's at U of MN at age 55. Published my novel Top 40 Honeypot just last year. You will love being a student, and Wilson library has so many great resources.
"I have no friends, who generally turn out to be Marcus Brutus anyway. I am happy."
I, too, discovered that accepting how "friendship" is something that loses value as one grows older and becomes more focused on their own pursuits indeed brings happiness.
Thank you, Mitch. Very grateful for your insights as always, and I find this piece particularly encouraging & empowering. Iβve found it challenging to let go of comparison to other artists who have βmade itβ earlier than I have, but the more I lean into doing exactly what only I can do best, more magic happens & doors keep opening.
Thank you for this encouragement today. Itβs my birthday tomorrow and my natal promise is still in the future if I choose to take it π
Itβs also nice to hear someone proudly say they donβt have friends, a loving family absolutely suffice. Yet your art is communication - something for me to think about - boundaries and dealing with social interaction may not have to be the same as othersβ in order work for the individual. Thanks again.
I so agree. I was born in 1944. I published one non-fiction book when I was 59. Since then I have written five novels and three fat books of poetry. The use has been kindly, and I have been willing.
The first time I heard of you was when you appeared on the Occult of Personality podcast. Now I hear you on Aeon Byte and read your books. What a way you've come, Mitch. You're definitely one of the good ones. Practical Magic and The Miracle Club slay, btw!
Mitchβ¦your friends are all of us who appreciate your truth and wisdom. We also respect how you honor great truth-tellersβ¦..such as Neville, Joseph Murphy and Vernon Howard.
I had to look up acquisitive. cute. paints a picture. I am profoundly comforted to read about the value of being surrounded by things from ones youth (also comforted by your conviction as to observable markers of purpose and passion having no timeline ceiling). aslo, I forgot to mention first time I saw it, how much I love your shield/blazon/crest - whatever you call it - it's wonderful.
I don't suppose you'd like to share your birth time? I am curious, now that you've been somewhat revealing of 'life story', what your astrological chart looks like. Might be too invasive a curiosity, if so, all good.
I particularly appreciate this at this exact time in my life. I am 56 years old, and, after being a solitary practitioner and pilgrim for over 30 years, I just got accepted into the University of Minnesota in Religious Studies. It has also been my experience that one does not have to pursue things at the set time that society expects. I didnβt take up cycling and long distance bike touring until I was already in my 50s. That got me clean from a decade of substance use and opened up the world for me in entirely new ways at the time my peers all seemed to be settling in to late middle age narratives about being too old for this and that. These linear, conformist, and largely capitalist ideas about who you are supposed to be at such and such an age are such colossal bullshit. Thank you for that reminder. We follow the compass of our own souls; itβs a lifelong pilgrimage.
Congratulations! I got my Master's at U of MN at age 55. Published my novel Top 40 Honeypot just last year. You will love being a student, and Wilson library has so many great resources.
This is fantastic, I love this story.
"I have no friends, who generally turn out to be Marcus Brutus anyway. I am happy."
I, too, discovered that accepting how "friendship" is something that loses value as one grows older and becomes more focused on their own pursuits indeed brings happiness.
Thank you, Mitch. Very grateful for your insights as always, and I find this piece particularly encouraging & empowering. Iβve found it challenging to let go of comparison to other artists who have βmade itβ earlier than I have, but the more I lean into doing exactly what only I can do best, more magic happens & doors keep opening.
Thank you for this encouragement today. Itβs my birthday tomorrow and my natal promise is still in the future if I choose to take it π
Itβs also nice to hear someone proudly say they donβt have friends, a loving family absolutely suffice. Yet your art is communication - something for me to think about - boundaries and dealing with social interaction may not have to be the same as othersβ in order work for the individual. Thanks again.
I felt this pulse in my own bones: the reminder that timelines are still open, still soft, still waiting for us to choose again.
As a spiritual artist and channel, I often sense that βtoo lateβ is an illusion designed to keep us from returning to what always waited for us.
Thank you for speaking this in your voice, Mitch. The echo is real.
I so agree. I was born in 1944. I published one non-fiction book when I was 59. Since then I have written five novels and three fat books of poetry. The use has been kindly, and I have been willing.
The first time I heard of you was when you appeared on the Occult of Personality podcast. Now I hear you on Aeon Byte and read your books. What a way you've come, Mitch. You're definitely one of the good ones. Practical Magic and The Miracle Club slay, btw!
thank you, my man
I needed to read this today, thank you. β€οΈπ€
Another great article. I'm no wordsmith, so three words and seven syllabels sums up a lot of blabbering.
Mitchβ¦your friends are all of us who appreciate your truth and wisdom. We also respect how you honor great truth-tellersβ¦..such as Neville, Joseph Murphy and Vernon Howard.
You have a worldwide network of friends!
thank you and much warmth -M-
Aging like fine wine. Love this.
Hell yeah BB β‘
Would you be interested in a podcast discussion?
rebirthoftheword.com
I had to look up acquisitive. cute. paints a picture. I am profoundly comforted to read about the value of being surrounded by things from ones youth (also comforted by your conviction as to observable markers of purpose and passion having no timeline ceiling). aslo, I forgot to mention first time I saw it, how much I love your shield/blazon/crest - whatever you call it - it's wonderful.
I don't suppose you'd like to share your birth time? I am curious, now that you've been somewhat revealing of 'life story', what your astrological chart looks like. Might be too invasive a curiosity, if so, all good.
I'll be your friend, Mitch!