A short post today. Some days life is more challenging than others! We are dealing with a medical situation that feels like it might be a flare up of the chronic pain issue that has arisen occasionally, but it is persisting and so we are dealing with uncertainty and how complex so many chronic issues are. I am also dealing with the insanity of this country and trying to respond in useful ways and not falling into hopelessness and despair. And my daughter, her partner, and their dog and two cats have been living with us since August 1; they are hoping to close on a house at the end of this month.
Even though these three elements have provided challenging moments, each has also brought gifts: more tender moments with my wife, some wonderful time with my daughter and getting to know her partner, and becoming a more active citizen. I am also grateful for strong marriage, a close family, and all that I have living where I live.
I smile when I remember Zorba the Greek’s response to the question if he was married: “Wife, children, house, everything. The full catastrophe.” This was the inspiration for the title of Jon-Kabat Zinn’s first book Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness. Simply remembering that title is often so helpful when life gets even more crazy, painful, and stressful than usual.
The other quote that is so helpful is from The Gambler by Kenny Rogers: “You’ve got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold em’, know when to walk away, and know when to run.” This current crisis has reminded me how helpful this mindfulness and meditation practice is and of the value of embracing both the simplicity and the complexity of this practice.