It is not often that we give ourselves permission to love, or let alone talk about the things we love. These days it is hip and cool to be cynical and make fun of others who are too emotional. Someone told me once that I needed to take a look at where I was spending my money, because there also was my heart.
These days, I spend my heart on chado, my husband, my grandchildren, my students, and sewing. Besides the essentials of food and shelter, there also I spend my money. Since leaving the corporate world, I have pared down my lifestyle to fit my considerably reduced income and I could not be happier.
Just as wabi used to mean to be disappointed by failing in some enterprise or living a miserable and poverty stricken life, some of my former associates would look at my present life and think that I am miserable. But wabi also means to transform material insufficiency so that one discovers in it a world of spiritual freedom.
Right now, I have never been more joyful in my life. Everyday is a good day. I feel aligned in living my values and in the integrity of what I do. I feel grateful for the opportunity to live this life. I love what I do, I love my life and I love to share with others some of the things I've learned through chado.
What do you love?
Aug 11, 2009
What do you love?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I envy those who obtain enough courage to unattached themselves from this world!
ReplyDeletePeace
Within the wabi constraints of the tea room, we can set aside the distractions of the material and concentrate on the things that are most important: coming together as friends and sharing tea, space and peace. It brings to mind this quote:
ReplyDeleteThe most precious gift we can offer others is presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they bloom like flowers.
-- Thich Nhat Hanh
Thank you Bill for your comment. Indeed, it does take courage to unplug. And believe me, the first year's consequences were very difficult to negotiate. My decision affected not only my lifestyle and happiness, but the 6 people that I was supporting (I was the only one with a regular job). Some people are thrown into it by lay offs, for others like me, I could not spend one more day in a world that had me sobbing before work, and drinking heavily after. If you can, keep your focus positive and make incremental changes.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Margie
Tansau,
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the blog. I know you have been around, and thank you for your comment. Within the tea room we can indeed wash away the dust of the world and concentrate on the things that are important. Thank you also for the quote. I like it very much.
Take care,
Margie