Posted by Shortelise on December 9, 2004, at 12:03:23
In reply to Is there really a point? What's the payoff?, posted by Smeegle on December 7, 2004, at 22:17:14
I think there isn't much of a point. So I try not to think about it.
What makes it all worth it to me is the moments of joy. I try to find and/or create as many as possible.
I help old ladies with their groceries, help women with children on the bus, volunteer when asked. I am as kind as possible, kinder when I can be.
I try to make my passage through the world around me a pleasure for those I meet. I always look people in the eye.
I'm the nicest customer of the morning at the Starbucks, the lady who makes a funny face at a child in a passing stroller. I happily care for the neighbour's cat when they are out of town, and I might even vacuum their house while I'm at it.I stop to pet cats, laugh at dogs (they are natural comedians), I admire gardens, stop to watch an enormous, colourful butterfly linger on the only bush on a dusty downtown street. I want to SEE the world around me, even if at times I don't feel a part of it. I want to know what's there, want to see the faces, the colours, the shapes and sizes. The buildings, the streets, the sky, the faces.
I look for beauty. I look to see what else is there.
The times I'm just another grumpy human out for a walk, well I have to accept that I am not the Buddha, and that has to be ok, too. I get tired, hungry, lonely, angry...
And I let myself feel it all.
But as for the point? My advice is, try not to think about it.
poster:Shortelise
thread:425938
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20041203/msgs/426736.html