Day 3,347

Growth:

When in doubt, listen to this song: Society by Eddie Vedder

Appreciation:

How much more do I have than what I need? How much do I want which I truly do not need? How little do I actually need to find joy in life? When do I find myself unhappy due to the lack of something I truly don’t need?

As I am reminded of so many times, there is very little needed to find joy in life, to create a fulfilling life. From my experience I would assume that it only requires intentionality, presence, and gratitude – everything else will take care of itself.

When I find a sadness, an emptiness in my heart, I should remember these lyrics and look inward to see if it is a lack of something that it causing the hurt. If the pain is a longing for what I don’t have I must remember to intentionally choose to be happy without it, to be in the moment, and to choose a mindset of appreciation for what I do have. We cannot be sad and grateful at the same time, choose appreciation.

Oh, it’s a mystery to me
We have a greed, with which we have agreed
And you think you have to want more than you need
Until you have it all you won’t be free

Society, you’re a crazy breed
I hope you’re not lonely without me

When you want more than you have
You think you need
And when you think more than you want
Your thoughts begin to bleed
I think I need to find a bigger place
‘Cause when you have more than you think
You need more space

Society, you’re a crazy breed
I hope you’re not lonely without me
Society, crazy indeed
I hope you’re not lonely without me

There’s those thinking, more or less, less is more
But if less is more, how you keeping score?
Means for every point you make, your level drops
Kinda like you’re starting from the top
You can’t do that

Society, you’re a crazy breed
I hope you’re not lonely without me
Society, crazy indeed
I hope you’re not lonely without me

Society, have mercy on me
I hope you’re not angry if I disagree
Society, crazy indeed
I hope you’re not lonely
Without me

Eddie Vedder, Society – Into the Wild Soundtrack

Presence:

How rarely I pause my mind long enough to notice the bits of beauty hidden in plain sight all around me. This evening in yoga I was in a figure four and my mind was calmed enough to watch the flickering of the candles reflected off the ductwork in the ceiling. There was no pattern to the movement, it flowed and bounced, and it was a perfect focus for my attention in the present.

I was reminded of one the favorite hours of my life in the outdoors. While backpacking I sat in the sun on a rock in the middle of a stream. As I sat still my brain focused on all the magic around me. A giant dragonfly flew in and proceeded to zip around. When I focused closely enough I could see the mosquitoes it was eating as it moved from spot to spot. Without realizing it I spent an entire hour sitting still in that stream enthralled by the spectacle of nature which is always there, but I rarely take the time to observe.

Beauty, true beauty, can be found in any moment so long as we pause and watch for it.

Thanks!!!