Go to Day Nine

The things that we think are problems really aren’t and the goals we are trying to attain aren’t worth the trouble. The point isn’t to find new problems or new goals but to live in acceptance of what ever is here and now regardless of what has happened or will happen. The point is choosing to be in the present.

The stoics and Buddhists lean into this the most. The stoics saw experience as impression and will; things outside of ourselves make an impression and we respond.

Epictetus said, “It is for you to arrange your priorities; but whatever you decide to do, don’t do it resentfully, as if you were being imposed on. And don’t believe your situation is genuinely bad – no one can make you do that.”

If there is trouble make a different choice:  “Always remember – the door is open.” Happiness or equilibrium is attained from knowing what we can and cannot choose. Knowing that means we’ll never be upset because of something we can’t control; if we do have control then we can change it.

Alan Watts recorded lectures years ago on Buddhism that are encouraging and inspiring. In one lecture that I transcribed he said, “The biggest ego trip going is getting rid of your ego. And the joke of it all is your ego doesn’t exist. There’s nothing to get rid of. It’s an illusion.”

I have noticed there are times when my intensions and my intuition are aligned almost perfectly; things I intend to do are things that I know will get done. There are times like riding in the rain to Lincoln when I can feel that I’m doing exactly what it is I should, I am truly in the moment. My goal in 2021 is to find more of these moments.

Go to Day Eleven