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What have I discovered about myself in challenging times?
I’ve been watching the Buddhist monks
walking for peace.
And today,
through the largest snow storm to hit the area in years,
they walked.
I watched as they reached their destination for the night,
some plain faced,
and some smiling . . .
shoes both icy and wet,
the hems of their robes tired.
What a day this must have been . . .
how exhaausterd they must be.
Their endurance and resilience
stirs me to the depths
and challenges me and my own perceived strength or weakness . . .
They have been doing these peace walks for 2,000 years,
and they both inspire and humble me.
all over the world
I honor their vision.
At the same time
I am challenged by the killings in Minneapolis,
and these two events are indelibly connected in my mind.
Why am I not walking with the monks?
Why am I not standing with the protestors in Minnesota?
Have I discovered
that I am not brave or strong enough to put my money where my mouth is?
I am too soft and too old?
Do I lack the conviction and determination of these brave people?
This is a question
I ask myself a lot,
and I don’t have an answer.
I was happy to see the monks wearing boots in a recent video. I commend them for continuing on despite the freezing weather.
My heart hurts over what’s happening in our country. Despite my care for others, I am not a get out and protest kind of person. It’s not my personality. And honestly, I would never put myself in a situation where I could get arrested or possibly killed. But there are other ways to help – phone calls, prayer, metta. Goodness begets more goodness. It all counts.
”Goodness begets more goodness. It all counts.”
Thank you,
dear SunnyPatti,
for reminding me of my own ‘signatuure’ . . .
everything counts. ♥
Dear Sparrow , be kind to yourself and to others around you . We are all walking with them when we connect a continue to let go of our own “demons” – we keep on letting go of thoughts- hate, anger etc . Let’s all hold hands together here for peace in ourselves and others. Thank you for sharing this. Hugs 🤗
You are right,
dear Antoinette . . .
the kind of violence I’ve been witnessing
does bring out the kindness I want to offer the world,
and I walk with the Buddhist monks in spirit.
Thank you
for making me realize I am in community . . .
I hold your hand in solidarity
with love . . . ♥
Fret not dear Sparrow, transmuting feelings of loving kindness is what I know I can accomplish along with taking care of and helping to feed myself and a few others.
Thank you,
dear Joseph,
for the words of encouragement . . .
I can at least
do that much. ♥
Many of us are asking the same questions.
I guess I am not alone after all,
dear Charlie . . . ♥
I have discovered that I cry easily. And sometimes I feel embarrassed about it because I feel dramatic but I also cry at beautiful moments too. Crying is a good release and I’m grateful that I can feel things so deeply.
Better to feel deeply than to not feel at all. I cry a lot as well, Maggie. Always have. Doesn’t matter if it’s happy, sad, good or bad! You are not alone 🙂
My lovely wife Cheryl cries easily too, Maggie. 37 years of marriage, I am good at discerning her serious tears.
Awwww that makes me excited for when I have a husband one day thank you Joseph.
I have learned through challenging situations (mostly self created) that I will go through it, no matter what. I’m hoping to do this more skillfully.
I never give up hope that there is a light at the end of the challenge. I accept the challenge and work on it the best I can taking step backs and breaks and continue working on it.
My office is close until noon tomorrow due to the storm. Have about 6 inches so far.❄️
Safe travels as you make your way into work later.
In challenging times I get very tired and want to get in/stay in bed. And I have a hard time getting things done. But I do what is needed and get through it and life goes on. I want to say more. I’d like to be thoughtful, wise and maybe even inspiring, but right now this is pretty much all I’ve got.
Sending love to all. 🙂
💜
Sending some love back to you Mary.
I am a lot stronger than I think I am.
I am wildly capable.
I am not alone in my struggles.
Loving kindness to All….
🕊️♥️
During challenging periods in my life, I have been able to dig deep and do the work and show up and push through. I have also entirely given up and surrendered. Both approaches have brought me here.
💜does anyone know how i can automatically subscribe to get emails of these posts and questions/responses??
Not sure that is possible but do know the “word of the day” is on fb
I’ve discovered how strong my EGO can be. I share a morning med from Oct 2020.
Morning Meds Oct 7 2020 EGO
“The ego wants resolution, wants to control impermanence, wants something secure and certain to hold on to. It freezes what is actually fluid, it grasps at what is in motion, it tries to escape the beautiful truth of the fully alive nature of everything. As a result, we feel dissatisfied, haunted, threatened. We spend much of our time in a cage created by our own fear of discomfort.”
Welcoming the Unwelcome
Wholehearted Living in a Brokenhearted World
by Pema Chödrön,
page 32–33
Such a powerful quote above about the ego. I hHad a bout with my ego this morning. I needed to go get groceries. Physically, I’m not quite up to par. Anxiety set in and thankfully, I realized that I was giving it full reign. As author James Baldwin Teaches, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
I did what I often do when facing my anxiety. I called on my ancestors. In my experience, they always answer my call. I claimed their strength. I calmed down and I made it to the local Wal-Mart.
As I share this, I’m smiling. I’m sure when my ancestors heard my call, they were shaking their heads, saying, “It’s Carol again!”
I’m reminded of the courage it took for them to board ships and sail to America over 2 centuries ago with no money, and in most cases no education.
Feeling Blessed!
Carol
I’m glad you made it out. I think we are tougher than we think we are.
Pema sure had it right. Thanks for that. 🙏
I’ve discovered that I tend to want and expect a quick fix, whether the challenge is a personal one or more global in nature. Let’s just get this taken care of and move on. Realizing I/we may be in this challenge for a long haul requires some strategizing on my part, some honest spiritual work and gratitude, some physical care, intentional joy and play, being patient with myself and others. Otherwise I will get eaten up and swallowed by despair.
Katrina, I use to look for quick fixes too by pleasure seeking. My issue was rooted in rebellion. Paw Mu is a strong strict caring traditional Asian collective female friend from Burma I met at the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind School known to tell it like it is on the spot. Back in the day, that method felt heavy. I was use to autonomy and felt as if she was changing me. In hindsight, it turns out that she and I are similar at the root despite the many different branches. Patience and learning how to follow orders have helped me get past the 3Rs of rebellion, resentment, and regret. Even if she’s no longer in my life, I’m grateful and feel more at peace over what she taught me and her vision for me. Letting go of agendas is my biggest takeaway.
I have learned that I avoid. I have learned I can grit my teeth show up and tackle the situation with determination relying on resources like faith, hindsight, companions and a sense of “this too shall pass.”
Yram, expanding upon my comment to Katrina, pleasure-seeking and avoidance go together, so I can relate to you. I still do that but to a lesser extent. My business ventures and activism are a combination of for a good cause and temporary distractions to help me face challenges more effectively. We need activities and interests, and that’s their purpose. My growing faith in god has automatically balanced me out. God’s energy is the best energy.
In challenging times, I discovered myself as a fragile human in the ways I first react to the challenges. Then, my belief in God and my creativity help me encounter the difficulty gratefully. Have a warm Sunday, everyone! 🌟
My Ngoc, I’m more guarded which is why I’m firm. Belief in god is our intersectionality.
I’m fortunate to be in an easier stretch now, but I’ve noticed during challenging times especially that I have a difficulty with trusting others. The upsides are that it protects me from incompatibilities and prevents me from getting taken advantage of by others. I’ve always had the mindset that everything must be earned. My laid back lifestyle was earned. Piano has many boring moments, especially during the adelescent years. Those are the years that get wild, especially for boys. College was 4 years of hard work even if my major was music. All fields have reading and writing.
The bulk of challenges I experience are long term. I can consciously move between addressing the challenges, facing them directly, feeling the darkness, and retreating into patience, peace, prayer, joy, nourishment, friendship. I used to assume you don’t get through a challenge unless you let it consume your every minute, fixate on it till it’s solved. Well, challenges have their chapters too. Now I feel it’s more like walking with a challenge, letting it sharpen and refine me while I change it as well.
Hello Drea. Challenges and complications. All life is faced with these. What helps me to keep them from entering my conscious stream of thoughts, and eventually waking that damn monkey, is to remember that life is not happening to me, life is happening as me.
“Life is not happening to me, it is happening as me” — yes, an excellent reminder, thank you Joseph.
“Challenges have their chapters too”.
Such a wise observation. 🙏
🙏
Drea, I’m with you. I use to be like that. Now, that has changed. Becoming closer to god has helped me even more. I allow nature to correct course and tap into his energy through prayor. He has many miracles up his sleeves and has a way of helping with shifting perspective.
I like to think of nature as course correcting. Thank you Loc.
I have discovered that I am stronger than I ever thought I was and that I can do hard things. I also discovered my inner light and how it always has my best interest and guides me with love.
Hoping all in the path of the winter storm are warm and well. We got some light snow overnight but they’re still calling for icy rain. I’m grateful we have power and am looking forward to watching some football later.
We got the cold, very little precip.
I know you probably need the precipitation more than we do. We had a pretty heavy sleet storm yesterday evening. Pretty icy out there now. At least the sun will be showing her face today!