Do we really know anybody?

A woman in her fifties watched her mother in her eighties struggle against the wrinkles in her face and neck, trying to hide them, pretend they weren't there.

She wanted her mother to accept that she was getting older but found her unwilling to listen. 

Haven't we all run into this situation?

We can learn so much just by remembering that what is right for one person may not be right for another, and others are entitled to decide how they want to behave.

Often, we are just worried about ourselves, concerned, for instance, with our own ability to age gracefully.

We don't need someone else to do it for us.

We can take care of ourselves.

The constellation now called Orion was once called Hippolyta. Hippolyta was one of the Amazon queens. The Amazons were women warriors who had four leaders instead of one: two older women and two younger women.

Everyone could benefit from the experience and wisdom of the older and the strength and vigor of the younger. 

After Hippolyta died, they named this constellation for her to honor her and remind themselves of her wisdom and bravery. 

We can draw a good lesson from the value the Amazons placed on the contribution each one could make, no matter how young or old. 

When we remain alert to the possibility of learning from people we hadn't seriously considered as teachers, we are reminded of our often forgotten value to others.