I have been called an Old Soul by many so far throughout my lifetime. As I set out tonight for my evening walk, I thought to myself, “But what does Old Soul really mean to you.” Does it represent your propensity to pick up the pen and write whenever something is on your mind? How about the moments where you just sit in silence thinking and listening to the absence of sound? Or maybe is it how you think in the first place? What makes you really different? Why are you different?
I think part of the answer to why I am an Old Soul is in my appreciation for the people of the past. Part of me was born as an ancient thinker, the other part an explorer. They have combined themselves into who I am now…a young man exploring deep inside himself and thinking about the outside world that he walks around in every single day. On my walk, I stopped and looked up at the stars…and even though I know how incredibly small I am in comparison to the universe, I know how unpredictably large my impact can have on the world around me. I ask the Big Guy above for the strength to tell the truth, and to tell it in a way that touches people’s hearts. That is all I have ever asked for.
I never really question why things are the way they are. I also never really wish for things to be different. I think that many of us get caught up in wishing that something would change or hope that an event never happened. You can get really stuck in thinking about the past. Trust me, I have been there many times over. I have held onto things in the past, a few far too long, and it eats you up inside. But I have also learned how to let go. That first time you let go of someones hand willingly is incredibly scary. After a while though, you stop thinking about the pieces missing, and you smile remembering what your fingers felt like intertwined. My mental approach to people leaving has changed significantly. Now, I am just happy I had something so great that it was incredibly hard to let go of. You can choose your emotions. Choose happy ones.
As the book coming out gets closer and closer, I have been looking back on the past 23 years of my life, and taking in all of the lessons I have learned and things I have overcome. Lately, I have been writing a lot of these lessons down, and it is very cathartic to put memories down on paper. There are many that I have still yet to write, but in good time they will come out. February 9th is going to be a life changing day. It will have been 3 years to the date of when I first started writing online, and it will represent a huge milestone in my life. And while my anxiousness at times is very high, I try to keep myself grounded and appreciate this time exactly for what it is.
I will continue to walk, think, and write. Me and my old soul.
Evan Sanders
The Better Man Project
Evan, so happy to see that you did a post on you and your old soul! I loved your post, but more than that I love the opportunity to connect to another old soul. How precious that chance is. Ancient wisdom is given to those who inspire, share, and promote that wisdom. You have that gift. Lets share our ancient wisdom and inspire everyone we can!
I have also been called an “Old Soul” for years, it all started when my love for philosophy, human beings and writing surfaced at a young age. I don’t think it is a bad thing. We are not here to live out versions that are satisfatory to other people and we are not here to be “understood”. people will always have an opinion, most of the time an ignorant one. Commit to your art. Commit to your life. Remember that no-one ever has to take a breath for you when you suffocate so they can never choose which path you take. π
I look forward to your posts every day, they are truly inspiring π
Thank you for sharing this! What wonderful thoughts you have. π And a beautiful song to match.
A wonderful post and your song selection is one of my favorites. It’s on my playlist!! You truly continue to inspire others with your soul and words.
As a fellow Old Soul, I can say that you’ve essayed the subject beautifully.
If you get a moment, you should check out Cloud Atlas (the book or the movie). Have a feeling you may enjoy it.
Through reading this very well written post, I see why that you indeed are an old soul. You are very wise and have experienced enough to know how your life should be handled. Not only that but you seem like a kind soul, one who cares very much for other people. Individuals like yourself are sometimes hard to come by. Keep writing and being who you truly are π
Great topic for contemplation. I don’t want to be one of those people that says “you’re so young,” but I will say I am impressed with your insights and marvel that you are just 23 years old!!!
I’ve always been called an ‘old soul’ as well. It’s a positive and a negative for certain. I have trouble letting go and moving on, and I take life very seriously, but I also truly feel a connection to the past and to ‘place’ that others don’t seem to share. Lovely essay.
Hey Evan, those were nice thoughts and kind of soothing for some reason.
Best of lucks with your book.
Thanks for following my blog π
Lots of love
“Listening to the absence of sound,” . . . a tangible paradox. ~G
Your blog is full of insight for the time you have walked the earth. I believe an old soul has an understanding that much more exists beyond what can been seen. Letting go of the past and remembering what puts a smile on your face is priceless. π
I believe we are kindred spirits Old Soul.
I will be re-reading this post! Very thought-provoking. I have often thought my youngest son is an old-soul … now I realize I have been over-looking that I may be an old-soul, too. Thank you for sharing.
All posts should come with a sound track. π
You are an old soul with wisdom beyond your years. I don’t follow reincarnation, but I am not the Great Spirit, so I do not know all the way of things. Perchance you were a healer, for within your mind you have the keys to what opens a human soul’s life to better ways and days…healing thoughts. Thanks for sharing. I really like who you are.
I’m a little late to the party, so what, when, and where is this book of yours?
Also, I understand where you’re coming from. Someone once told me I was an eighty-year-old trapped in a thirty-year-old’s body. I get the need for silence and reflection (I probably get it a little too well), and I, too, often struggle with letting go of the past. However, I feel that it isn’t impossible to honor our history without slipping into the trap of primitivist romance. It is a hard line to walk, and it is to be walked carefully, but it is worth the effort. And there are so many things of great interest and wonder that have preceded me and that might too easily be forgotten if I don’t make an effort to remember them for myself and to others. So, full speed ahead on the backwards-looking, forward-thinking path you have set for yourself, and best of luck to you on it!
To be happy to have had something so great that it is hard to let go of — that is a wonderful way of looking at it. I’ll try to remember that. My young-old soul can learn a lot from you.
Blessings to you~
Classy post Evan..thanks for following my blog. Being new its very motivating for me to get you as a follower. Keep guiding. π
Simply….precious.
Beautiful.
Nice post. To me, an old soul sees things from a perspective others don’t. While people are looking at something from close or afar, the old soul sees from every angle and puts it into words that provides insight, clarity, that spark of light that makes people go ‘ah-ha!’
It is indeed amazing how lately I have been finding souls that resonate with mine…
Love the way you worded the small in scope yet large in impact. Brilliant. You got a lot of wisdom for only 23 yrs of walking this earth. The funny thing about this old soul thing is that it is said that an old soul immediately recognizes another upon meeting. The irony of this is that you were one of the first to acknowledge my blog. You are producing a very bright light. Never let this dark world beat it out of you. Be sure to let me know when this book is finished. zenspeak9@hushmail.com
I like your quality of an ‘old soul’ It’s charming to say the least and very effective in getting your voice out to the world. I like the genuine lull of your blog, makes the information much more easier to absorb. (:
I kinda like calling it an old mind more than an old soul since it is more on how you think than other ideas.
Maybe you’re on old soul, because you’ve walked this earth before and bring with you into this lifetime a wisdom and understanding, collected over time. Just putting it out there. π