We all have people we look up to. Most of us have people who look up to us. This is the framework for our voluntary social hierarchy. Voluntary in the sense that no involuntary social hierarchies are accepted as an anarchist (anti-hierarchy). No other human being is above me or below me from a legal or definitive standpoint. However, a voluntary social hierarchy is necessary for a society to keep progressing. The hierarchy doesn't necessarily have to be about wealth or age, although those are often indicators of having "made it" and will increase your likelihood of being higher up on the hierarchy. But remember, Jesus was a broke hobo who had thousands of people follow him around, pouring over his words. Those words continue to be read and contemplated today, over two thousand years after his death. And there are old billionaires all alone in their silos and full of sadness.
This middle position on the hierarchy is something that I cherish. There are a few people, mostly older men, that I look up to and give me something to aim for in my life. Their words of wisdom give me direction. Their quiet satisfaction of knowing their race has mostly been ran and now they can enjoy the fruits of all their hard work makes me want the same. Essentially they are my teacher and I am their student. In the classroom of life it is good to be a student sometimes and a teacher other times. Often in the same conversation and even with my teachers I can take the baton briefly and become the teacher for a moment. This is a very good practice for me. In other relationships I know I am looked up to by a student who is still searching for answers and I am more than willing to provide that same insight which was freely given to me. I am somewhere in the middle of this social hierarchy, always looking in both directions for new teachers to follow and students to follow me. I am simultaneously looking upward and climbing, while looking behind and reaching out my hand to pull others up with me.
One word of caution, beware of creating idols in life. Idolatry is a very real thing today. We all have our own chinks in the armor, regardless of how well we hide them from others. Having someone to look up to and creating idols to worship are very different so just be careful.
Another word of caution is the protected plateau. You have climbed up the hierarchy and are tired and complacent. You don't want to keep progressing, learning or working and are worried about losing what you have. You set up protective barriers around your plateau and don't want to share with anyone. This is a lonely and fearful place that nobody wants to be in.
As you age and become more of the teacher and less the student, it is most important to slow down and turn around to offer a hand, bring others up with you! What good is it to be all alone at the top with nobody to share life with?
This middle position on the hierarchy is something that I cherish. There are a few people, mostly older men, that I look up to and give me something to aim for in my life. Their words of wisdom give me direction. Their quiet satisfaction of knowing their race has mostly been ran and now they can enjoy the fruits of all their hard work makes me want the same. Essentially they are my teacher and I am their student. In the classroom of life it is good to be a student sometimes and a teacher other times. Often in the same conversation and even with my teachers I can take the baton briefly and become the teacher for a moment. This is a very good practice for me. In other relationships I know I am looked up to by a student who is still searching for answers and I am more than willing to provide that same insight which was freely given to me. I am somewhere in the middle of this social hierarchy, always looking in both directions for new teachers to follow and students to follow me. I am simultaneously looking upward and climbing, while looking behind and reaching out my hand to pull others up with me.
One word of caution, beware of creating idols in life. Idolatry is a very real thing today. We all have our own chinks in the armor, regardless of how well we hide them from others. Having someone to look up to and creating idols to worship are very different so just be careful.
Another word of caution is the protected plateau. You have climbed up the hierarchy and are tired and complacent. You don't want to keep progressing, learning or working and are worried about losing what you have. You set up protective barriers around your plateau and don't want to share with anyone. This is a lonely and fearful place that nobody wants to be in.
As you age and become more of the teacher and less the student, it is most important to slow down and turn around to offer a hand, bring others up with you! What good is it to be all alone at the top with nobody to share life with?
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