The Timeless Elements within Us

The Timeless Elements within Us

by Debra Silverman, M.A., author of The Missing Element

Ever since the beginning, eternal truths have followed us around. Here is one of them: human nature learns the hard way. At the psychological level we are a slow moving species. We tend to neglect the long view, going for immediate gratification at all times—that is, until we hit a crisis.

I wrote a book called The Missing Element and the first chapter is called ”Crisis,” which applies now more than ever. My intuition sent me on the path as a writer to inspire the reader to revisit the wisdom of the elders. The elders lived by preparing for the health of future generations. An eternal truth that deserves attention: prepare for the next generation when making decisions about this society.

Our human psyche presents with an immature youthfulness. We have yet to learn how to sustain kindness or peace. Perhaps this is the time (marked by the increase of stress) to set us up for an upgrade, a shift, or could it be—a crisis of extinction?  

My book is based on the four elements: water, air, earth, and fire. You cannot stop a mountain from growing (Earth).  You cannot demand the Water to stop flowing, the Air from blowing its breath endlessly, nor the Sun from shining its radiance. The very essence of creation—the Elements—are not going anywhere. No amount of crisis will touch them. The Elements will constantly continue their timeless evolution at all costs.

We have been an evolving planet since the beginning of time; however, in order for us to awaken and set our children up for sustained peace/success, we must address the climate crisis. But are we really?

The good news (as seen from The Missing Element’s point of view and the elders I write of) is that it's an inside job. It is impossible to reach an agreement as a collective to shift our use of plastics, or to slow down the carbon imprint, or—most important—to change our human-nature impulse that needs instant gratification. Most of us are still doing business as usual—despite what science or this climate crisis is insisting.

The Missing Element begins with a conversation about the role of crisis as the means to startle us into action. For some reason we only change drastically when we have to. It seems we are not in crisis-mode yet. But it is coming.

The Missing Element is about changing BEFORE the crisis. It suggests that coming to peace with who you are—and your utilization of your energy—will assist future generations.

For example, I am Air. I love to write. I am here writing to you.

What element stands out for you? Is there a crisis in your life about to happen that will inspire you to ”change”? Or could I help you to avoid that crisis?

“There are two kinds of people: those who are humbled and those who are about to be.” —Anonymous

My book offers a chance to do something super easy: to simply be yourself. To take on your job—as you are. To be a change agent on your terms.

The elements do not care what you decide. They will survive regardless.

Your soul will continue to grow through hardship or ease… it’s your call. The question is, knowing human nature as we do (said the therapist of over 40 years), what can you do NOW to assist the collective, our family, your family, so that this change we are seemingly crashing into doesn’t have to hurt?

Read my book: let the elements talk. I wanted to give them a voice.

On page 64 of The Missing Element, you’ll discover your strongest element:

Water people: You are tender. This era that our planet is going through can hurt you; however, we need your heart! We don’t want to have you disappointed in humanity and ”checking out.“ Too often, you stay away from people. Stay with us. We need your tenderness.

Air people: You are the ones who love to read articles and books like this. You need to do the research and inform us of the hard facts. Teach us how to listen when we don’t agree—we have lost that ability. If we don’t, I predict that this element could be the ruin of us. You know how to ask the hard questions and then ask again.

Earth people: You may be the most frustrated of all. You want results. We are not gaining results as you would want—yet. The best thing you can do is to be patient, yet still act. Just pick one contribution you can do and do it with all you’ve got. What is it?

Fire people: You can have fun right in the middle of the storm. Or pretend that it's not bothering you with just a bit of a drink, an edible, a high. Stay real, ask for help, show us how. Model honesty and vulnerability—this is the ultimate formula that will make all the difference.

I have a lot of Fire so I’ll speak honestly: I am worried. Will the birth of this new era include a painful death of the old? Will we as a collective pretend it’s all ok and just do business as usual? Or can we choose to go back to the sacred?

Pray over your food (Earth rituals). Stop to meditate (Water practices). Say you are sorry (the lost art of Fire). Ask lots of questions (Air), to stay close to your person. What do you need to do to honor the elements right there at home, in your world now?

There is a simple formula that will assist this birth/death (call it what you will). Study the elements. Do your work on the inside.

The famous Chinese proverb, referred to as a curse: “May you live in interesting times.” Well, we are both cursed and blessed to be reading these words and realizing the future is just around the corner, waiting for us to herald in the awareness, the observer who knows what to do by listening and honoring wisdom.

Without our attention on the ancient tools of creation we are headed for a crisis. My prayer is that we stop the crisis from hitting us too hard. All it will take is enough of us practicing the wisdom of the elements. They are waiting for us to return to the truth of timeless healing. To me this is what matters most: Our return to honoring and practicing devotion to our creators. They used these tools, why not us?

If we study the human condition with sincerity, we can find our way back to the elders' wisdom and remember the elements. You will navigate with the stars. They have been here from the beginning and they will be here until the end. It is time to return to the sacred.

Read my book, it will support you to turn on your compassionate observer and remember from the point of view of your soul and the timeless elements.