"At all times and in all places and under all circumstances,
give your attention to people and events one at a time;
Otherwise you will never give your attention to anything.
Be as honest as you know how;
Otherwise you will always rage against your own lies.
Curb your will to control events and people;
Otherwise you will always be unhappy.
Give freely to others;
Take freely what others give:
Otherwise you will give and receive nothing."
—Balto's Tonic, Dick Ringler, Mogador
Some days I want my life to be like this.
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I'd like to aspire to all of these. The openness required, and vulnerability risked and accepted, in both giving and taking (more difficult!) freely... This leapt out at me. I came across true examples of this on my Camino walks, and it was wonderful and heart-strengthening to witness.
ReplyDeleteThe most remarkable people I've encountered have all had the ability to focus on 'people and events one at a time.' It's an amazing skill to see in action, especially when it's directed at children or the aged and infirm and simple day-to-day activities.
ReplyDeleteBecoming focused, dealing in truth, not meddling, sharing freely…seems like a formula for happiness to me.
ReplyDelete"Otherwise you will always rage against your own lies."
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to accept so clearly that we have our own lies, even if we don't "own" them.
I feel that when I don my suit (an act of sympathetic magic that conjures up my work persona)to play a role as a 'manager' I'm fulfilling a contract to 'control events and people'. And it does indeed make me unhappy (d'oh!)
ReplyDeleteGuess I need to channel another attitude to this - as I think I need to work - 'Lord I like to work boy I'm rolling all the time/
I can pop my initials/ Right on a mule's behind'...
Thank you everyone for these insightful and pertinent comments.
ReplyDeleteSW,
I'm glad to find a kindred aspirer. :)
Flandrumhill,
Yes, I've met those people too. I cannot help but say "I would like to be like that."
Grizzled,
"Happiness"? Okay. I'll say yes... :)
Barry,
I should have know you would focus in on that bit. :) Indeed, we each have our own lies....
Mister Roy,
Ha! Great poetic response. I sure know what you mean about the "suit", the "manager", the role to play. I want to forsake all of that...
This is great, the part about 'our own lies' especially resonated with me too. I may print this for further contemplation...
ReplyDeleteAnd mostly I wanted to say it's nice to have you back, I've missed reading you.
:-)
Amy, I am very glad this resonated and made you ponder.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the "welcome back." I don't know if I'm "back" really, I just wanted to share this bit....
Peace
Great piece! It makes me want to consider the feelings of others and how my own decisions can affect so many people in a positve or negative way. I strive to live not in lies but in Truth. And that is NOT a lie!:)
ReplyDeleteDarn, I'm gonna go ahead and say it anyway. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the injunction in the Rule of St. Benedict (4.25 ff)
Never give a hollow greeting of peace or turn away when someone needs your love. Bind yourself to no oath lest it prove false, but speak the truth with heart and tongue.
Barbara,
ReplyDeleteDarn, I'm glad you went ahead and said it anyway!
;)
You couldn't have shared this at a better time. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGrace,
ReplyDeleteI am glad.
Wow. I love this and will probably have to use it on my blog sometime. Thanks for sharing it--it has made me feel happier this morning.
ReplyDeleteI'm very glad, Molly. Thank you for being here.
ReplyDelete"Take freely what others give:" even if you don't like what they give you, even hurt you.
ReplyDeleteOuch.
ReplyDelete:)
FW! You have been given the Honest Scrap Award. It’s on my post today. Go on with your bad self!
ReplyDeleteI've come back to reread this post a couple of times now.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm passing on a blog award to you. Hope it's not too girly! See info here: http://gracefulyoga.blogspot.com/2009/04/great-start-to-day.html
I am working on the first line -- to focus on 'people and events one at a time.' While multitasking is really almost necessary in today's complex world, when dealing with people especially, it's UNproductive.
ReplyDeleteGrace, thank you. I commented over at your place, as you already know.
ReplyDeleteSydney, I heartily agree. And to the extent that we can try to not multitask, I think we will lead more mindful lives. Thanks for the visit and the comment. :)
I am absolutely thrilled to have found your blog. This sentiment is wonderfully expressed.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nancy.
ReplyDeleteWelcome.
I think I want my life to be like this ALL days....
ReplyDelete