“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” ― Lao Tzu
The last few days have been a real exercise in patience. An online journal I spent hours creating was completely out of my control due to technical difficulties. At first I felt defeated. Then sad. Then determined. Then a little angry. If there is one thing I know about myself it's this: when plan A doesn't work, I use plan B, and if plan B fails, C or D. Damn it, it's going to work! However, swift action is not always the path we should take. Actually, I should have just chilled out for a moment or (four hours) took a deep breath, relaxed, watched some TV. Stepping away from the computer and going for a calming walk would have allowed me time to reflect on my motivations. Why am I doing this when I could be working on projects that make more money!? Why is this important to me? Do I really need to write a blog? Is this blog about the creative process or just a way to feed my ego? Look everyone at work, friends, family I have a freaking blog that no one reads. Who am I, Navin Johnson from "The Jerk" seeing his name printed in the phone book? Whoo hoo! "I am somebody!" Lisa, calm down. Breathe. Go to your happy place.
Now in relation, for thousands and thousands of years Tibetan Buddhists have created time consuming, intricate, meticulous sand mandalas in honor and remembrance of the transitory nature of our souls and material world. They accept what they create is going to be ceremonially destroyed. It represents impermanence. All of their dedicated craftsmanship, precise placement, attention to detail is obliterated sand grain by sand grain. The sand is collected then released into water mingling element with element. It is a beautiful, delicate creative process. The difference between one mind and another mind is simply acceptance.
