#1 The events in my life reflect who I am. Not that I haven't read this before but, after two weeks of intense creativity and looking at my life, perhaps I read them in a different way. I was thinking about putting the ten principles on cards so I could carry them with me and also thinking about taking some milk back to my room. I was done with my meal and needed my check so I could be off. The server was standing with her back to me, drying silverware. I waited. She dried. I waited some more and began to feel the niggling of impatience and frustration. Then I decided to test the principle ... how was this a reflection of who I am?
Immediately I began to wonder about all the times I've been busy ... caught up in the "very important" details of the moment ... and didn't notice that someone else wanted my attention? How often have I continued to send emails even after a friend called and wanted to talk? How often have I creatively labeled my inattention "multi-tasking?" I really didn't like my answers to these questions. But the impatience and frustration shifted away and I just politely requested the server's help and she met my needs instantly and perfectly.
It was at that moment that I decided to spend the next 10 days focusing on the principles and how they apply to my own life. If you want to join in, feel free to add your own reflections in the comments section.
About the image: A Kiawah Island, SC, marsh weed dances with a bright and shiny bit of art paper. I hope this image reflects me more than the impatient, attention-challenge that was reflected in the restaurant.
That image is striking, Joyce.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm more attracted to the concept of wholeness than duality (the latter seeming more schizo than I'd like to think myself to be) and yet we all have these sides we might not have been aware of or even have been willing to acknowledge until something sends us down a path of understanding self. We don't, I think, reach that path's end until we pass out of this life and into another. It's a life-long and ever-enlightening journey. It's a good one, too.
The phrasing of that intention bothers me a bit. I'd prefer, "The events in my life reflect what I perceive them to be." Or, "How I respond to the events in my life shows me who I am." I don't know; there are so many ways of taking Chopra's statement.
Hello Joyce, So I read your blog and the question and situation you were in and wondered," How often in my life have I grown irritated by other's seeming inattention to me when I haven't a) asked for what I wanted, or b) made my needs known in some way, or c) sat and made myself the victim without taking action.
ReplyDeleteLOL -- obviously we reflect our own perceptions, experiences and situations.
Being the victim by not asking for what I want and then condemning others for their lack of response is one of my self-defeating games.
Rather than the duality of my game, I like Chopra's suggestion of finding the wholeness in my behaviour -- whatever it is in the moment. Whether I choose to sit and wait for the server to attend to me, or ask for what I want -- I determine whether I become irritated or not. My choice, to live in the wholeness of the moment, is to choose for my higher good -- and that means, not criticising, condemning or complain about someone else's behaviour.
Great post Joyce -- and what a wonderful idea! I join you in living the 10 principles. What's the worst that can happen? LOL -- I might learn something as I just did! And, shift my behaviours onto higher ground.
Cool!
Louise
OMG, Louise -- I was just having that EXACT conversation with myself this morning! I feel certain my Valentines Day experience was specifically handicapped by my inability to know/ask for what I need... So yes, Joyce, I'm in. I'm not sure how to go about "being in" but I'm right there with you, walking through it.
ReplyDeleteD