One of those days!
” I have just three things to teach:
Simplicity, patience and compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and in thought,
You return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.”
One of those days….
Lets just say it has been one of those days…… one of those days that really challenges your resolve to live in accordance with the above quote from the Tao Te Ching, and to accept that things are the way they are.
The hot water system decided to blow up leading to an expensive replacement (which is going to leave us without hot water for a day or so) my nine year old also decided to blow up, my computer has decided to virtually go on strike (hopefully it is not going to blow up) and I have simply felt like crap. We all know that life does not stop on days like these.
The above quote though is somewhat a source of inspiration for days just like this one.
Simplicity
I have really had to try to simplify the day in order to achieve anything (let alone some of the BIG tasks that were scheduled). So having a handle on what is important, what is realistically achievable in your current state of mind, and being able to re-assess and modify on the run while not feeling well are keys to being able to simplify your day when it is really needed.
Patience
Despite not doing it successfully all day I have really had to work on being patient with my nine year old and give her the space she has needed to deal with some of her frustration and to deal with the impact of a few recent events.
While someone is blowing up at you it is easy to “lose it” and none of us are perfect. I admit at times today I failed in the patience stakes.
Trying to be aware of your own state of mind and any limitations that may be in play… such as feeling like crap… may have on your ability to remain patient are important. Being aware of your own fuse burning short, and being willing to walk away and re-group earlier than you might ordinarily in order to continue to be patient are important aspects to help ensure you don’t do any damage to an important relationship.
Compassion
Simplicity and compassion have had to combine in order to get through the day. Some of those big tasks have simply had to be rescheduled or I would be running myself into the ground.
In life if you can not look after yourself then you are unable to effectively look after anyone else. Being willing to be kind to yourself and cut yourself some slack when things are not going well
It may well have been one of those days….. but a willingness to see it for one of those days and to try to deal with it in a simple, patient and compassionate has made the day far better than it may otherwise have been if I had dwelt in the anger and frustration that some of todays activities could have resulted in.
How about you?
How do you deal with it when you have one of those days? Are you able to muster the simplicity, patience and compassion you need in order to continue?
image by Martin Kingsley
