With my recent interest on the relationship between life and death,
I’ve had the good chance to bump into the Japanese tradition of Kanreki.
From how I understand it,
Kanreki is a symbolic rebirth celebrated when you turn 60.
Perhaps my musical and personal journey is gearing me up for that rebirth?
When I think in this scope, I feel so relaxed. The anxiety to rush ahead is gone.
I’m so young, and there is so much time to embrace until I am born again!
And then once I am reborn, what will I do?
So many possibilities!
But perhaps I am being too naive.
Can an old dog really learn new tricks?
Can an old dog learn new tricks?
^ This is a terrible way to frame the question, grounded in prejudice and self-loathing.
An old dog.
What a terrible way to see yourself. What a terrible way to see others.
Where is this coming from?
What importance does age have in this case?
Why does it seem like we are always putting young age and old age in opposition?
Why when I look up the antonym of youth, the majority of words have such negative connotations?
I hope if I found this after 60, that I would still realize how arbitrary the number is.
It could be 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, etc.
There are a few people in my life who seek a rebirth,
but it doesn’t appear they think of it in those terms.
However you think about it though, rebirth is always available,
and I hope they realize that.
Though, to be fair,
easier said than done.
I have others yet in my life who think
rebirth should never be an option.
You make a choice and live with the consequences.
No change.
Ever.
How fucking sad :(
Without change we’re already death.
Not a natural death, which I feel is actually very dynamic and alive.
But a manmade death, which often starts rotting in our brains prior to natural death,
and makes us foolishly fear the thing we already are, or fear we will become.
Gosh I feel so stupid — so, here’s to stupidity!
And here’s to Kanreki!
Even though I think it’s better to celebrate a sort of Kanreki everyday,
I am nonetheless very excited for what my 60th will bring :)