Do you ever have one of those days that you have just had enough? I do. It seems to be the inevitable consequence of “the best of times,” as Dickens (1) tells us. The stars seem to be in perfect alignment with your being: everything clicks, as they say. Your universe is in synchronicity with your mission in life. You know these moments.
You wake up on time and feel rested. The commute to school or the office is flawless. Your colleagues greet you as if you are the prodigal son: (2) your professor or supervisor expresses his admiration for your efforts and accomplishments. The return journey is equally unblemished. Your roommate or spouse is beguiling and inviting – the dinner perfect – the evening edifying or romantic, etc.
Sadly, this must be offset with the predicaments of life – its twists and turns, its missteps, its blunders, and its grievous errors. What to do? There is but one path, I believe. This is the realization that life is (or includes) suffering, as the Buddhists say. This does not presume that it has to be all pain and mental pestilence. We must put everything in perspective. There is a tomorrow and things do change and improve. If one reads anything about the exploits of the great and noteworthy, you quickly realize that they are just like me, albeit richer and more famous. They too suffer and some of them cannot endure the angst associated with their own glory.
I recently read an article on the original Peter Pan, (3) the story of the boy who never grew up. The real-life character, Bobby Driscoll, (4) could not escape his “child actor” image. He eventually became addicted to drugs, went to prison and after a brief respite with Andy Warhol, (5) of all people, overdosed and was buried as a John Doe in Potter’s field in New York (6) – grim stuff. The secret to a truly successful life is patience: patience with yourself, patience with the time and patience with your place in the universe. If you have a good heart and work hard, it will all work out. You will achieve your mission in life – this is with the caveat, not always. Life is fickle and bad things do happen. But, for the vast majority of mankind, this is not true. What usually destroys “the mission” is the self through lethargy and mental sloth. Noted author and Buddhist practitioner Sharon Salzberg (b. 1952) leaves us with a thought. Patience doesn’t mean making a pact with the devil of denial, ignoring our emotions and aspirations. It means being wholeheartedly engaged in the process that’s unfolding, rather than ripping open a budding flower or demanding a caterpillar hurry up and get that chrysalis stage over with.
A closing thought: Whenever I feel overwrought with emotion, I return to my natural roots: nature herself. I head to the nearest park — wander to a far corner, so I cannot be seen — and take my shoes and socks off. There is truly something odd and alluring about the sensation of being connected to the earth. Any book on the eastern European life in the 19th century, the grand estates, etc., paints a romantic picture of this kind of sensation. We can engage our imagination as we walk barefoot over the moist grass. There truly is a humbleness and connectivity to Gaia with this action. Tolstoy’s summer house is an example. (7)
To sum up: This week, we spoke about patience and achievement. With a sense of stick-to-itiveness, all will be realized.
A philosophical question: Why when we practice and prepare, do we still flounder at the last moment?
Just for fun – Hauser and Caroline Campbell
This week, on your patient stroll, when you take your shoes off, please enjoy the feeling.
Every day look for something magical and beautiful.
Quote: I must find a way to communicate with myself. Only through inner reflection will I calm the demons that rage in all of us.
Footnotes:
2) Parable of the Prodigal Son
3) Peter Pan
4) Bobby Driscoll: Child Star to Pauper’s Grave
5) Andy Warhol
6) A rare look at New York City’s potter’s field, home to 1 million dead