Things As They Are

August was a pretty good month for me, all things considered. My finances are still a mess, I still have no car of my own, and unexpected expenses keep preventing me from reducing my debt. There are a lot of things I could be stressed out about, and yet, for the most part, I'm not.

I've been trying to do the Buddhist thing and accept things as they are. After all, much of our unhappiness comes from the feeling that, whatever bad thing happens, it shouldn't be happening. But why shouldn't it? After all, Buddhism teaches that life is suffering. When you rail against the injustice of suffering, you make yourself unhappy. But when you accept that suffering exists, you can transcend it. When misfortune and pain arrive, the ordinary person says "why me?". The wise person replies "why not?". Everyone suffers, to some degree. Some suffer more than others, it's true, but no-one cruises through life without some kind of pain. So why am I (or you) any different? Of course I suffer, and so do you. So does everyone. Acceptance doesn't mean not doing anything about it, it just means not getting angry or depressed because it's happening.

It hasn't been easy accepting the idea that I am where I am supposed to be, but for the most part, I've managed it. Misfortune comes my way a lot, and much of it is self-inflicted, but I'll get through it. Maybe not well. I may make mistakes, or realize I could have done things differently, but I will get through it, whether it's another long bout of writer's block, another episode of depression, or another self-inflicted cash shortfall due to overspending. I'll survive.

I'd like to share a quote from an enlightened woman whose name eludes me. Her purse was stolen, but she didn't get upset. Instead she said: "Whoever stole it must have needed it more than I did, but that doesn't mean I didn't cancel my credit cards."

My life's kind of a mess, and I'm still single, and yet I'm reasonably content, because I try to accept things as they are. I urge you do try, too. And look into some sort of spirituality. Buddhism seems to be a good fit for me, but something else may suit you better. But do search. We all must find our own path.