Today’s Reflection is about being empty. And loving it.
It is Saturday morning, and I am in bed, though not alone. Perfect company – a book, yerba mate tea, and Tobi. Tobi and tea are regulars, the book is the exception. Not because I don’t bring books to bed, for I certainly do. After all, I claim to operate a business at home, which means that a work-related book can be read in the bedroom or the washroom, the laptop can be in bed (or anywhere else really), and I can conduct a teleconference while sitting on the deck in the sun.
No, the book is an exception at the moment, because it is not a work-related book. Nor it is related to my studies. Even more so, it is a book that I already read. I just thought that I have missed it, and decided to re-acquaint myself with its adventures and wisdom. Despite the fact that there is about a shelf of dusty books I have not yet read, patiently waiting for my attention.
And it is a big deal, because it is a sign that I finally have an opportunity to slow down.
“This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. Being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as I live it is my privilege – my *privilege* to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I love. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me; it is a sort of splendid torch which I've got a hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.” - George Bernard Shaw
It really is the first opportunity in several months, and I am feeling thoroughly used up, as Shaw says above. Fall term has finally ended, and teaching 4 graduate level courses in two different universities can be seriously draining. One course with 15 students and one final reflection paper to read and grade. Another course has 30 students, and about 3 different final assignments for each student to read, savour, and grade. The other two courses continue, one with 18 students, and one with 24, with series of ongoing assignments. The more articulate students in these two courses submit an 18-page assignment, the less articulate ones stop themselves at about 8. About a year ago, the record stood on 52 pages, and I am very happy nobody is trying to break it. Yet. Luckily, both courses have a bit of a holiday right now, and will resume within a week or two.
All that, and then the rest of life.
It is not the first time I am experiencing this paradox of duality that life sends my way every so often, to remind me to remain alive, grateful, and engaged. Yes, I am feeling drained, exhausted mentally and emotionally, and craving non-intelligent conversations with Tobi. And, at the same time, I am inspired, touched, and utterly fulfilled by the experience of being engaged in such a rich and deep level with incredibly passionate, experienced, and committed students. I am doing what I absolutely love and believe in.
“People may be married to work, but their real desire is to have an affair of the soul.” - Lance Secretan
Being empty. Feeling full. No difference really. Time-out is only that.
A sunny week to you all, inside and out.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Accepting the Offer
Today’s Reflection is about the concept of “Accepting the Offer” which comes from the world of improv theatre. But not only from there.
There is always a reason for people to get the dogs they get. Perhaps other pets as well, though I would not know much about it. I do, however, know that it is absolutely true about dogs. We, so-called “dog owners,” get the absolutely perfect dog for us, whether to mirror something back to us, to teach us a lesson, or any other metaphysical reason. The Universe, it seems, is not without a sense of irony or humour.
When Tobi was a puppy, I was learning a lot about the reasons I was chosen for him. One day, in his early puppyhood years, a friend took him for a walk. When she came back, she said, “You know, Tobi is just like you.”
“Yes, I know.” Was my reply. “But what is it this time?”
“Well,” she said, “When you ask or tell him to do something, he will sit there, think about it for a while, and eventually will do it – completely in his own way.”
I knew that this is where she was totally wrong. At least, Tobi will eventually do it.
“Every time man makes a new experiment he always learns more. He cannot learn less.” - Buckminster Fuller
Accepting the offer means opening up to receiving. It means not blocking the flow of whatever is happening in the moment. It means taking what comes your way with a Yes, and finding ways to build upon it. Yes it comes from the world of improv theatre and performing arts in general. Perhaps to get a sense of what it looks like in the improv world, check out “3 For ALL” on YouTube. Accepting the offer, taking it in, and doing something with it to forward the energy and the flow of the moment creates a very different experience. Much like in life, everything remains in constant motion.
Yet, the world of performing arts is not the only playground for accepting the offer. They are everywhere around us, daily, crossing our path and checking our awareness, openness, and courage to notice, accept, and say Yes.
When the first Western anthropologists “discovered” the Shaolin Temple, they were baffled. “How could these Buddhist monks, who are all about peace and kindness, be at the same time such incredible lethal killers?” the anthropologists thought. What they didn’t understand is that in the monk’s particular philosophy, everything that is given to them is a gift – and they have the right to accept or return it. So when a blow or a kick was delivered to them by their opponent, it was interpreted as “Thank you for the offer. I don’t think it belongs to me, so here it is back.”
“Did you tackle the trouble
that came your way
With a resolute heart and
cheerful?
Or hide your face from
the light of day
With a craven soul and fearful?
Oh, a trouble’s a ton, or
a trouble’s an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it.
And it isn’t the fact that you
hurt that counts,
But only how did you take it?”
-Edmund Vance Cooke
One of Tobi’s strongest gifts is that of welcoming and accepting strangers. I can only think of one situation where that was not the case; otherwise, he is always friendly, welcoming, and wagging to every person he comes across. Me, I am still learning this lesson, and have a way to go...
A sunny week to you all, inside and out.
There is always a reason for people to get the dogs they get. Perhaps other pets as well, though I would not know much about it. I do, however, know that it is absolutely true about dogs. We, so-called “dog owners,” get the absolutely perfect dog for us, whether to mirror something back to us, to teach us a lesson, or any other metaphysical reason. The Universe, it seems, is not without a sense of irony or humour.
When Tobi was a puppy, I was learning a lot about the reasons I was chosen for him. One day, in his early puppyhood years, a friend took him for a walk. When she came back, she said, “You know, Tobi is just like you.”
“Yes, I know.” Was my reply. “But what is it this time?”
“Well,” she said, “When you ask or tell him to do something, he will sit there, think about it for a while, and eventually will do it – completely in his own way.”
I knew that this is where she was totally wrong. At least, Tobi will eventually do it.
“Every time man makes a new experiment he always learns more. He cannot learn less.” - Buckminster Fuller
Accepting the offer means opening up to receiving. It means not blocking the flow of whatever is happening in the moment. It means taking what comes your way with a Yes, and finding ways to build upon it. Yes it comes from the world of improv theatre and performing arts in general. Perhaps to get a sense of what it looks like in the improv world, check out “3 For ALL” on YouTube. Accepting the offer, taking it in, and doing something with it to forward the energy and the flow of the moment creates a very different experience. Much like in life, everything remains in constant motion.
Yet, the world of performing arts is not the only playground for accepting the offer. They are everywhere around us, daily, crossing our path and checking our awareness, openness, and courage to notice, accept, and say Yes.
When the first Western anthropologists “discovered” the Shaolin Temple, they were baffled. “How could these Buddhist monks, who are all about peace and kindness, be at the same time such incredible lethal killers?” the anthropologists thought. What they didn’t understand is that in the monk’s particular philosophy, everything that is given to them is a gift – and they have the right to accept or return it. So when a blow or a kick was delivered to them by their opponent, it was interpreted as “Thank you for the offer. I don’t think it belongs to me, so here it is back.”
“Did you tackle the trouble
that came your way
With a resolute heart and
cheerful?
Or hide your face from
the light of day
With a craven soul and fearful?
Oh, a trouble’s a ton, or
a trouble’s an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it.
And it isn’t the fact that you
hurt that counts,
But only how did you take it?”
-Edmund Vance Cooke
One of Tobi’s strongest gifts is that of welcoming and accepting strangers. I can only think of one situation where that was not the case; otherwise, he is always friendly, welcoming, and wagging to every person he comes across. Me, I am still learning this lesson, and have a way to go...
A sunny week to you all, inside and out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
