nautical art is everywhere / early morning in my back yard / close up map of olde town Lunenburg / the houses have so much character / a little snow in the front street side garden / hilly, hilly - my walks are such great exercise / standing in front of "my" house / golden light beauty
Let the wave of memory, the storm of desire,
the fire of emotion pass through you
without affecting your equanimity.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba
I had a bit of a down day yesterday, the sad wagons began circling. One little sad bit floats down & lands on me and quickly I find myself scanning my life for more bits of sad - I can make this hurt, I can make this a big, sad deal. I've been waiting' on you sadness, I've been expecting you'd show up. It's been a month or two of passings - of final goodbyes to much loved dogs & cats. First to my own senior pets BleetNess & Winnie Dixon both nearly 16 years old, then everyone's favourite blogging cat Estorbo (who brought so much joy to so many) also nearly 15 or 16 and finally yesterday I received news that Juicy my dogson was also saying that big goodbye to his people.
More sad news from home, illness & aging is taking it's toll and I feel guilty I've been feeling so OK lately, so happy, so carefree. But I've been practicing being in my own moments, staying on an even keel ... embracing equanimity and it feels good. Really good.
I love the idea of not having opinions about people & events. Opinions are really judgements & attachments and I find I change my mind like the wind anyway. Opinions get me riled up and right and ultimately embarrassed to be so adamant one day and on the fence or regretful the next. I'm letting myself off the hook with this new practice ... trying to be neutral about everything. To be patient about everything & to have faith that life unfolds as it's meant to. Sadness & loss & leaving are a part of life.
You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can't control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone.
Marcus Aurelius
I am totally on board with holding opinions close. I find almost everyone is quick to pass judgement and voice their opinions on lots of things that they really know nothing about. I really wonder some people think they are entitled to be hurtful and negative.
ReplyDeleteGawd, can you give me "neutrality" lessons please. I'm a very judgmental person. I don't necessarily share what I'm thinking, but "judgy" thoughts often pass through my lil' head.
ReplyDeleteSaw the "X" on the map. Now I know where you are.
BTW that wonderful re-built church features prominently in the credits for my fav TV show "Haven".
I am sorry that you have been feeling down again dear Susan, what a loss this year, beautiful Bleetness and Winnie Dixon and now Estorbo and your dogson Juicy. Please don't be too hard on yourself, your are entitled to feel this newly found carefree happiness that you are experiencing as you set up this new phase of your life. Yes, sadness and loss and leaving are a part of life but are to be balanced with happiness and new beginnings.
ReplyDeleteThese photographs are so lovely, such pretty floral images and the houses are just beautiful with their lovely window boxes filled with flowers.
Love and hugs
xoxoxo ♡
Coping with the loss of a pet is tough going, because the pets are so dependent on us, trusting of us, and become an everyday source of joy and comfort. Keenly felt by us quiet, big-hearted, hyper-responsible types. I don't even want to think of the number of friends who have lost beloved pets this year, it is far too many and more than any year I remember.
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate you are, Susan, to be living within an Unesco World Heritage Site! A high density of steeples in your new town, houses full of character and history, salt air, designated walking trails, it looks perfect for you.
I understand the downs, as I struggle with depression, and I also understand the loss of a beloved pet, as I have had many such experiences in my 58 years. The painting and photos are lovely. Warm greetings from Montreal!
ReplyDeleteNeutral? I can't see it for you but you show us how! :)
ReplyDelete