Thoughts for the changing of the year

"The qualities we possess should never be a matter for satisfaction, but the qualities we have discarded." (Wei Wu Wei)*


In recovery programs they talk about "defects of character"; with a New Year just turned, many think of resolutions often related to things about ourselves or our situation, that we do not like. I don't make resolutions because I believe that is a set up for failure and yet more dissatisfaction with one's lot in life.

A couple of years ago I made a resolution to do more for the planet - this is the only one I have ever kept. I figured deciding to "do" something, rather than to stop doing something, stood a better chance of success.

So this year my aim is to do more to improve my knowledge of Buddhist studies and gain some guidance in meditation. As I am building on something that I have already set in place I feel pretty good about this.

My partner and I continue with our seemingly endless desire to rid ourselves of "stuff". Have you noticed the regenerative ability of "stuff"?? We call our spare room "the black hole" because it seems to draw "stuff" into any vacant spot within! I consider the only failure is to give up - so we keep on emptying "stuff" out and giving "stuff" away!

Even with arthritis trying to take over my fingers, I am appreciative of the new lease on life that my surgery of last year, has given me. For almost a year up to that point, my life was on hold and my health slowly degenerating - now I am renewed! The reward? A trip to Oahu in February - a first for both of us.

So, the words from Wei Wu Wei (aka Terence James Stannus Gray 1895 - 1986) are wise indeed: do not concern yourself with what you have, look to what you need to give away. Other wise people have said that we can only keep what we have by giving it away. Such are my thoughts in these troubling times.

*('Fingers Pointing Towards the Moon' (Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1958)