I haven’t posted for the last few weeks because I felt I had nothing worthwhile to say. But today I read a quote of Einstein’s that I don’t recall seeing before. It is: “Do not grow old, no matter how long you live. Never cease to stand like curious children before the Great Mystery into which we were born.” ― Albert Einstein

The more I think about that, the more I think that it is the best advice anyone could be given. It seems to slot in nicely with Maslow’s self actualisation. As we go through this life spending most of our allotted time fulfilling the lower needs of Maslow’s Hierarchy, I think we do need to pause from time to time to savour the awesome privilege of being alive. I think at the start and end of each day we could do worse than reflect on Einstein’s words. I think we need to cultivate that world view that Einstein speaks of in this old favourite that I’ve quoted so many times before. No matter, it still resonates:

"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us _universe_, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest… a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."

Yet we never hear those words quoted by any politician. We never hear them quoted by any religious leader. We never see them quoted in any newspaper. And that is the world’s loss.

Once again: “Do not grow old, no matter how long you live. Never cease to stand like curious children before the Great Mystery into which we were born.” ― Albert Einstein

I think it’s time the world started listening to Einstein.