According to Buddhist philosophy our lives are filled with 10,000 joys and 10,000 sorrows.
10,000 joys and sorrows seem to be a perpetual theme throughout the past two weeks I have spent visiting friends and family. There have been amazing accomplishments I have witnessed or devastating difficulties that my loved ones are experiencing, but the reality is we are prone to all of this. That which brings us joy also brings us sorrow due to our attachments.
For example, today I was magically stopped on my route to see the Christmas Tree at the Rockefeller Center. A staff worker in front of the theater asked if I was free right at that moment. I concurred, and I was offered tickets to the Rockettes show. Before I could even process what was going on, I was inside witnessing the annual holiday special. I wanted to cry from joy at how beautiful magical moments of manifestation can be. I didn’t have time to thank the stranger who gave me this xmas gift.
High on this but having to leave early to check out of my hotel and into another, I discovered that the Jivamukti Yoga Meditation I had planned my trip around was cancelled (and the center closed) without my knowledge. All my plans for the delightful evening was taken away.
Joy and Sorrow occurred almost simultaneously together. And so this is life.
It’s inevitable that our lives will balance both of the in our hands. The question remains what do we hold onto? Our joy? Our sorrow? Both? Or do we let go of it all and just welcome whatever is right in front of us.
We may notice people in our lives who cling to their accomplishments. It seems as if when they introduce their name they introduce their bank accounts and professions. Or some people may opt to live their glory days of being an all-star varsity football player 20 years ago (I can say this because my hometown holds the Pro-Football Hall of Fame). Although we may be proud of those accomplishments, they do not need to define us.
But on the other hand, neither does our losses. Many people may have experienced trauma, grief, or pain and want to be identified with that sorrow. Yes, it’s true these difficult occurrunces must be given room to heal, but for how many years must we carry the pain with us. If we fill our lives with sorrow, there is not space to appreciate the beauty that is bestowed in front of you today.
As we enter the new year, what are we opting to bring from 2019 into 2020? Do we start fresh? Bring in baggage or bragging? How do you want your 2020 to be? The choice is yours.
(In front of my hotel)
Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one. – Brad Paisley
It Only Takes A Smile 