A very wise creature named Yoda (I almost typed yoga) once said, "Do or do not. There is no try." I never understand the meaning of this phrase until recently.
I started this blog to document my journey, hopefully get a good laugh and maybe inspire some. You see the reason I haven't posted in awhile is because I finally understand what I was "doing" wrong. In fact, I wasn't "doing" much at all, but "trying" almost too hard. Sometimes, when you let the outcome go, things happen. Now I know this goes against many commonly held principles in our society. We are told to do, do, do, until we can't do anything anymore.
A few months ago, I adopted a new diet of whole foods, therefore, my mind has been much clearer. It's true that I am less prone to anger. more "In the moment" and about to let things go much easier. It's funny when I stopped concentrating on the outcome and starting to enjoy the process of cooking healthy food or learning a new yoga pose or enjoyed the taste of a simple pepper, life became enjoyable and almost easy. As a person prone to anxiety, I often worry about the future as most do. I found that, as cliched as it sounds, just sitting there listening to my breath was a wonderful moment.
The other day, I was sitting on a train to the city. For some reason, I was thinking about each and every friend or ex who had ever travelled on this train with me. And I smiled. I have been searching for meaning, but the meaning was smacking me in the face all along. However, not every outcome has to be this majestic fanfare. Yes, I was no longer in any type of relationships with these people, but I remembered all the goods times we had and how each person, each interaction, each moment had shaped me. And I thanked them. I sat there and was grateful for those good and bad in my life.
This is just a small example of what I have experienced over the last few months. It is almost hard to put into words what I have experienced. But as cliched as it sounds, I have found pleasure in every day life. I am not waiting to have more money, more time, more skills, more anything. I am doing it right now.
Friday, April 18, 2014
"How I Met Your Mother" Is About The Journey, Not the Destination
Note: This was written before the ending of the show.
One of the sayings I always hear and try to follow is, "It's the journey, not the destination."This is hard to follow as we live in an instant gratification loving society and many, including myself, want to speed to the destination and don't have or want to have the patience to look at the scenery.
I recently read an article about the TV show "How I Met Your Mother" and was enticed to watch the show from its beginning. I started Season 1 a few days ago and am almost done with Season 2. Not only is this show hilarious, but it clearly demonstrates the meaning and importance of the journey. From the first episode we know that Ted (Josh Radnor) will meet his future wife as each episode is framed around the voice of older Ted (Bob Saget) telling stories to his teenage children about him and his friends' love escapades when he was in his late 20s/early 30s.
We watch Ted love and lose, but we all know in the end he does get what he wants. We just don't know when or how. At one point the kids complain that the father is taking too long to tell the story. Older Ted protests, saying that if it wasn't for this or that part of the story, he would have never met their mother meaning. Ted, as well as the other characters, though with humor, definitely go through their ups and downs, however, how would he have known who the "one" is, if he hadn't loved and lost other loves? If anything I have learned, we don't know what we want until we know what we don't want.
In another episode, Robin (Cobie Smulders) and Ted miss their flight where Ted has an interview for a job in Chicago. They try many other attempts to get on other flights. In the end, Ted ends up missing the interview and losing his chance at the job. Ted plays through the events of the day to see who to "blame" for missing the plane, but later says if he would have taken the job he would have to move to Chicago. He later says, "I was meant to be in New York. Otherwise, I would have never met your mother." At the time, Ted took this a loss in life. Little did he know, years later, this one misfortune would lead to something great.
In a strange way, this show has taught me to be patient. Everything with happen when its time, but for now, enjoy the journey. Yes, there will be bumps along the road, but humor too. :)
One of the sayings I always hear and try to follow is, "It's the journey, not the destination."This is hard to follow as we live in an instant gratification loving society and many, including myself, want to speed to the destination and don't have or want to have the patience to look at the scenery.
I recently read an article about the TV show "How I Met Your Mother" and was enticed to watch the show from its beginning. I started Season 1 a few days ago and am almost done with Season 2. Not only is this show hilarious, but it clearly demonstrates the meaning and importance of the journey. From the first episode we know that Ted (Josh Radnor) will meet his future wife as each episode is framed around the voice of older Ted (Bob Saget) telling stories to his teenage children about him and his friends' love escapades when he was in his late 20s/early 30s.
We watch Ted love and lose, but we all know in the end he does get what he wants. We just don't know when or how. At one point the kids complain that the father is taking too long to tell the story. Older Ted protests, saying that if it wasn't for this or that part of the story, he would have never met their mother meaning. Ted, as well as the other characters, though with humor, definitely go through their ups and downs, however, how would he have known who the "one" is, if he hadn't loved and lost other loves? If anything I have learned, we don't know what we want until we know what we don't want.
In another episode, Robin (Cobie Smulders) and Ted miss their flight where Ted has an interview for a job in Chicago. They try many other attempts to get on other flights. In the end, Ted ends up missing the interview and losing his chance at the job. Ted plays through the events of the day to see who to "blame" for missing the plane, but later says if he would have taken the job he would have to move to Chicago. He later says, "I was meant to be in New York. Otherwise, I would have never met your mother." At the time, Ted took this a loss in life. Little did he know, years later, this one misfortune would lead to something great.
In a strange way, this show has taught me to be patient. Everything with happen when its time, but for now, enjoy the journey. Yes, there will be bumps along the road, but humor too. :)
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