Thursday, January 11, 2007

Yesterday I was grumpy

I hate being grumpy, but it happens on occasion. I had one of those days when, all around me, I seemed to notice everything that was wrong.

Everything seems to be out of balance this week. I'll spare you the details, but will share with you my thoughts on school.

Over the last number of weeks or couple of months, I've lost sight of why I initially signed up for the English literature course. I've found my sights set more on achieving "the grade" than receiving the "education". Wasn't it only months ago I swore off this inane focus?

By way of email, I received this much-needed reality check. A bit of encouragement from a friend, the essence of which was that I really should return to focusing on why I took the coures in the first place.

This morning I opened my copy of 365 Tao. The meditation for today read as follows:

Helaing

Fire cools.
Water seeks its own level.


No matter how extreme a situation is, it will change. It cannot continue forever. Thus, a great forest fire is always destined to burn itself out; a turbulent sea will become calmer. Natural events balance themselves out by seeking their opposites, and this process of balance is at the heart of healing.

This process takes time. If an event is not great, the balancing required is slight. If it is momentous, then it may take days, years, even lifetimes for things to return to an even keel. Actually, without these slight imbalances, there could be no movement in life. It is being off balance that keeps life changing. Total centering, total balance would only be stasis. All life is continual destruction and healing, over and over again.

That is why, even in the midst of an extreme situation, the wise are patient. Whether the situation is illness, calamity, or their own anger, they know that healing will follow upheaval.


All good words to live by.

12 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

Don't beat yourself up. You may have gotten a little out of balance, but there's nothing wrong with striving to be successful either. It's a human foible (or strength even) to want to do well and to strive to do well. We have to learn to match our desires with our abilities and the time that we have to devote to the cause. If time + ability = A, that's wonderful. If the equation results in a C, that's reality.

Unknown said...

ah yes I've followed this with P. You guys still get PMS in my book. Your cycle is sstill every 2 wks with the 4week starting over again...

I laugh a bit because when guys get this, they don't know how to handle it as well as we do. hehe..

Ah yes - is your bday at the end of the month? I have to get going on my moms present now, she's 2 wks away!

Wandering Dave said...

Hey Dave,

I'm Dave, too. And I was grumpy yesterday, too. And I'm a friend of RocRebEl Granny, too. And I'm interested in media/communications, too.

I don't live in Canada -- but I have relatives up there (Ontario). I'll be in Calgary this spring and am looking for people/places that will provide fodder for my writing and broadcasting.

You can find out all about me at my website wanderingdave.com.

If you think you might like to remove the degree of separation (it seems rather cold to refer to Ann that way), drop me a line. I'm serious about looking for things to do, places to see, people to meet in Calgary and other parts of Alberta and Canada (see the map for my year-long road trip at http://www.wanderingdave.com/maps/

I'm just getting started with the blog and other media channels and hope to find some "travel partners" who will help make this trip more than special -- I want it to be amazing!

Say! I'm not grumpy any more!

ipodmomma said...

hope you're feeling better today!

Roshanthi said...

Wow I really like what the 365 Tao says. Great words to live by. Well hope you're back to your usual self!

Andrea said...

thanks I really needed to read that.
I have been scratching the hole rims of grumpy for some time. it keeps flip flopping. this was a great read.
thank you!

Bare said...

You know, that was deep-- This particular phrase hit home: No matter how extreme a situation is, it will change. It cannot continue forever.

My life has been shit for months now, and just keeps getting worse. I truly needed to be reminded that it can't stay this bad for ever. I will change-- just as yours will as well.

I hope you're able to refocus on enjoying your class for the education itself, and making that your main focus. Best of luck!

Granny said...

How about that. Wandering Dave is the coffee date I refer to from time to time on my blog.

I encouraged him to reach out to people on his travel route.

He is not spam - he's a very nice guy with a great idea.

Jamie Dawn said...

It is so very hard to be patient and wait for dawn to break after the night has lasted so long.
I hope your pressures and grumpiness have subsided by now.
Smiles to YOU!

RedNeckGirl said...

I hate when I'm feeling grumpy and when things feel off balance.....I usually have to take a step back and try give myself a break.

Thanks for sharing the email and I hope things are better!

Melodee said...

I can agree with that!

oshee said...

Wow Dave..I should have visited you when you first posted this. I needed it as much then as now.

Sometimes I remember that things all balance out in the end..and sometimes I get lost in the moment. I tend to find it easier to get lost in agonizing moments than the pleasant ones. Human nature I suppose.

Beautiful thoughts. I hope you are finding a bit more balance in your life.

About Me

My photo
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
English student, Pottery enthusiast, Yoga novice and lover of all people. I make friends over a warm handshake and a beverage. I discover, every day, someone willing to help me along my path.