More Life Lessons

Several things have astonished me this week.  1.  I am amazed at what people know but won't practice what they know.  2.  I am amazed at what people don't know and act in obvious ignorance that fact that they don't know.  3.  The arrogance that shows up in some people who think it is smart, clever and think it is virtually fine to be the way they are.

I had the misfortune to deal with someone in business to exhibited all of the above traits during a small amount of time.  When it was over, I was so frustrated with him that I completely lost my composure, got really upset, and told him what I thought about his actions.  Probably not a very good example of what a spiritual leader should be.  

Since our business dealings are not yet complete, I have been asking for guidance, for peace, for composure, for patience.  What I know for sure, is that a jerk is a jerk is a jerk and not very much is going to change unless they really get whacked on the head.  I decided that it was a waste of my time to take that one on.

What I learned from this experience is that even though I am a spiritual leader, there are times when pushed to the limit, my anger shows up.  It felt good blasting this arrogant man to smithereens but I doubt that any of it managed to get through his limited intelligence.  

What I forgot was that it is difficult to reason with a stupid personality.  Only careful observance and good listening skills can burrow though to the truth of the person.  I assumed that because he was in business, he had good business skills.  This man really caught me by surprise.

Some of my anger was about me since I was caught so off-balance.  Assumptions usually do that.  All of this is a good reminder to practice what I know and not relax my stance for any reason.  Good lessons in moving forward on the path of life. 

Think again

Suddenly, my world is filled with people who are upper aging.  That, is at least, better than talking about hanging out with old people.  I am now at the age that I thought was really old when I was in my late teens and early twenties.  

Even talking about aging is uncomfortable for me since I am not "old" in my mind.  Actually, I really haven't decided what age I am in my head but I know it is not "old."  And, of course, when a subject is in mind, all I see are articles on "aging gracefully," ads featuring "quality of life over 65, etc.," and wonderful places to "retire" in the United States.  

Recently, I came across an article about "radiant aging," and I thought, "yup! that's it."  That is what I want to do.  I want to go into upper aging radiant, vibrant and energetic.  This is really necessary for me since my current husband is younger than me by four years.  He keeps me moving, bending, stretching and making me go through endurance stretches (long walks) or what I call, "forced marches."

Since I have formally retired and then got talked into going back to work for Sunday's only, I realize that what I need to do is work occasionally, meditate daily, keep up a reverence practice,  exercise in moderation (in fact, do anything that is disliked in moderation or stretch it out and do it only when necessary or just jump in and get it done and out of the way), do what you really love most of the time, and laugh a lot.  

My Sunday mornings are with a congregation that have not had the training that I have had and so I am always challenged to come up with easy "to do" things for a reverence practice.  In fact, most of them are new to any spiritual practice.  So, like the above paragraph, I am teaching them to pray while showering, loving themselves while brushing their teeth and doing personal grooming, blessing people with good thoughts and smiles while driving and in super market check out lines, etc.  

All of us can do this.  Whatever your "issue" or "challenge" is in life, come up with interesting things to move you "on down the road", so to speak.  I want my "road" by a wonderful journey that is amazing, interesting and filled with fun things to experience.  I believe that life shows up the way we think about it and so, figure out ways to make your thoughts support you and your life.  Allow yourself to be astonished!  It certainly makes life worth living.  Be blessed!