Our True Nature

Sunday night I returned from a 4 day retreat at the Garrison Institute in Garrison, NY.
Here's the link: http://www.garrisoninstitute.org/
I was there with about 60 people for the retreat on the 5 Rememberances:
1. I am of the nature to grow old. (There is no way to escape growing old)
2. I am of the nature of ill-health. (There is no way to escape having ill-health)
3. I am of the nature to die. (There is no way to escape death)
4. All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. (There is no way to escape being separated from them)
5. My actions are my only true belongings. (I cannot escape the consequences of my actions)
My actions are the ground on which I stand.
Sounds like a fun time huh? It was fantastic! By taking a deep look at the things that many people are ignoring, running from and resisting; we can find a way to really enjoy our lives. By becoming aware of the fact that everything is passing we can make informed decisions about how we spend our time.
One of the causes for suffering is the desire to control change. We are not the same people we were yesterday or the day before. By clinging to our self-created identities we create suffering. Our society is strongly based in consumerism and youth. This dynamic duo creates a marketing tsunami of products to "keep you young." Botox anyone? This injecting of poison is just a drastic form of "comb-over" thinking. "No, really...you look so young and strangely smooth." It's worse than the old men who paint their hair jet black. "Your hair (that is hair right?) looks so awesome. No, the contrast between your jet black hair and your wrinkled, shrunken, dried apple head create a nice effect. Maybe you should try some Botox to go with the black shoe polish comb-over." These people are just the victims of their fear. "If I look young, I won't grow old and die." But, if it is working for you then go for it. There is nothing wrong with trying to look nice and to each his own.
Come to think of it this white hair makes me look old...I'm off to buy some black shoe polish.