This long path.

Hi People of the temple.

I wanted to share a little about my Journey here. I contemplate that often. I started here many years ago. I would guess 05 or 06 but certainly before 08. When I started here things were different, the system the rules and the people some of whom are not here now. I was never the easiest Apprentice as a matter of fact I was dropped by two masters (or is it 3) While I am different now some days the old attitude can surface but then i rely on the teachings of the temple and my studies to readjust. I have had a few students who have left and somewhere gained the rank of Master. (at the time i was thrilled)

Skipping ahead otherwise i could write all day and i got stuff to do at some point. I took a long self imposed exile because i felt as if i was a failure that i had failed my student, the temple and myself. These are hard things to deal with and i didn't think I had anything left in me to give or the strength to try. I was very sad. I would come and go for a while and every time i would leave for a time I would think of it here and want to come back and start again.

I came back still with my old Rank and realized so much had changed and I was out of step with what goes on here and I was surprised to discover I could not just pick up where I left off lol. I made a choice to ask for a rank demotion because I wanted to start somewhat new and I realized I had much to learn still I wanted to be of service here and i could only do that if i shed off some old weight and started working again.

Now to the point. This Temple and training has taken me places I did not expect to be and tought me things I did not expect to learn. I have failed and succeeded and i am sure at some point I will do so again. Our failure teaches us just as much as success does, sometimes more. It is not the failure that's important but how we learn and keep going that still does.

Thanks for reading
Be Well.
Firewolf

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Firewolf.
I have to say that you were missed and your absence didn't go unnoticed.
Things change here quickly and I admire you for your understanding and acceptance of that.. and you willingness to pick it back up and start again. You are an example to us all and I feel honored to know you.
You will always be a Master in my eyes.

Thank you. I thought if I shared a bit it might be useful to someone at some point.