Wow! Reality: What a concept! (Robin Williams)

Photo by Tobias Bjerknes on Unsplash

Wie geht's?

I managed to negotiate/navigate last week, the busiest week I've had for a while, by thinking about a few things. One was John Lennon's song One Day at a Time.

His message is pretty simple - 

One day at a time 

Is all we do
One day at a time
Is good for you

So, as I steeled myself for two flights to and from Auckland, and a Saturday workday (Open Day at school), I concentrated on not getting too ahead of myself.

As I've mentioned before, in weeks like these, I aim to keep in mind the following concept:

There is an old story about a man who came to see the Buddha because he had heard that the Buddha was a great teacher. He told the Buddha that he was a farmer. "I like farming," he said, "but sometimes it doesn't rain enough, and my crops fail. Last year we nearly starved. And sometimes it rains too much, so my yields aren't what I'd like them to be." The Buddha patiently listened to the man.

"I'm married too," said the man. "She's a good wife...I love her, in fact. But sometimes she nags me too much. And sometimes I get tired of her." The Buddha listened quietly.

"I have kids," said the man. "Good kids, too...but sometimes they don't show me enough respect. And sometimes..."

The man went on like this, laying out all his difficulties and worries. Finally he wound down and waited for the Buddha to say the words that would put everything right for him.

Instead the Buddha said, "I can't help you."

"What do you mean?" said the astonished man.

"Everybody's got problems," said the Buddha. "In fact, we've all got 83 problems, each one of us. Eighty-three problems, and there's nothing you can do about it. If you work really hard on one of them, maybe you can fix it - but if you do, another one will pop right into its place. For example you're going to lose your loved ones eventually. And you're going to die some day. Now there's a problem, and there's nothing you, or I, or anyone else can do about it."

The man became furious. "I thought you were a great teacher!" he shouted. "I thought you could help me! What good is your teaching then?"

The Buddha said, "Well, maybe it will help you with the eighty-fourth problem."

"The eighty-fourth problem," said the man. "what's the eighty-fourth problem?"

Said the Buddha, "You want to not have any problems."

Always good to be reminded of that, right? 

One of my 83 problems that I can't get rid of is around getting onboard a plane. However, it's a necessary act to support Jacky, so getting on a plane becomes a no-brainer and just another thing I need to do.

The days beforehand are managed by my mantra of 'I'm not flying today'. I relax easily when I use that mantra. When the actual day comes around, I'm somehow much calmer. 

I call it compartmentalising, you may give it another name like avoidance or the ostrich-in-the-sand syndrome. No matter - the effect is the same.

This week coming is the last week of the first term, ending with Good Friday.

It pleases me immensely, to be working in a special-character (a.k.a. faith based) school at such times. 

Have a good week, and maybe reflect on those problems you think you have.

Love and peace - Wozza