You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair.
Paul H. Duhn
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
Les Brown
You're not forty; you're eighteen with twenty two years of experience.
Anonymous
And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.
Abraham Lincoln
Friday, March 20, 2009
May I Live Like the Lotus
I recently visited a "Do It Yourself" pottery store. I chose an unfinished mug, picked out bright yellow and purple paint, and set out to capture inspiration via a morning cup of coffee. I had chosen the signature quote of Judith Hanson Lasater, a yoga teacher whom I respect very much, to decorate my mug: "May I live like the lotus, at home in muddy water."
When I first heard Judith repeat this mantra, I took it very literally. Having travelled to developing countries in Africa and South America, I knew my own discontent with being uncomfortable. Each trip made me realize how spoiled I am as a resident of the U.S. Temperature control is a wonderful thing, and after my first trip to a tropical country, I no longer took it for granted! So as I painted my cup with Judith's words, I meditated on the countries where I would travel in the future, and prayed for peace of mind in their metaphorical muddy waters.
Fast forward to the present. Currently, I am participating in a Shiva - the Jewish tradition in which family members sit for seven days after the passing of a loved one. Several family members are staying under one roof, sleeping, bathing, eating, and passing time in close proximity to one another. Emotions are high and issues long buried are coming to surface. My only true alone time takes place in the bathroom - where I do all of my best thinking anyway :-) As I got ready this morning, I found myself praying to be like the lotus, at home in these muddy waters.
I was surprised that I had not realized sooner the larger application of Judith's phrase. As I wade my way through these emotionally muddy waters, I find myself lacking. I am having trouble drumming up the compassion I routinely call on during my professional activities. When I need it most, it seems my well of compassion has run dry. Instead, I am spewing forth annoyance and anxiety. A situation that should inspire the best version of myself is triggering my "big fat jerk" tendency.
It is for this reason that my prayers to the lotus have changed. I no longer prioritize comfort in foreign lands, but rather courage to offer compassion in my own backyard.
When I first heard Judith repeat this mantra, I took it very literally. Having travelled to developing countries in Africa and South America, I knew my own discontent with being uncomfortable. Each trip made me realize how spoiled I am as a resident of the U.S. Temperature control is a wonderful thing, and after my first trip to a tropical country, I no longer took it for granted! So as I painted my cup with Judith's words, I meditated on the countries where I would travel in the future, and prayed for peace of mind in their metaphorical muddy waters.
Fast forward to the present. Currently, I am participating in a Shiva - the Jewish tradition in which family members sit for seven days after the passing of a loved one. Several family members are staying under one roof, sleeping, bathing, eating, and passing time in close proximity to one another. Emotions are high and issues long buried are coming to surface. My only true alone time takes place in the bathroom - where I do all of my best thinking anyway :-) As I got ready this morning, I found myself praying to be like the lotus, at home in these muddy waters.
I was surprised that I had not realized sooner the larger application of Judith's phrase. As I wade my way through these emotionally muddy waters, I find myself lacking. I am having trouble drumming up the compassion I routinely call on during my professional activities. When I need it most, it seems my well of compassion has run dry. Instead, I am spewing forth annoyance and anxiety. A situation that should inspire the best version of myself is triggering my "big fat jerk" tendency.
It is for this reason that my prayers to the lotus have changed. I no longer prioritize comfort in foreign lands, but rather courage to offer compassion in my own backyard.
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