Zen of Clearer seeing

I was talking with a small group of long term friends the other day and the idea of seeing clearly came up. Relative to a lot of belief systems I don’t think I ever “see clearly.” Sometimes I do see things a little clearer. One of the things I have noticed from fellow bloggers and friends that, due to the social restrictions, more people are starting to see and have gratitude for what they have. Not what they want, but what they already have in their lives.

Seeing in a clearer fashion requires slowing down and actual noticing the value of people, places, and things instead of rushing by in our very busy and thought filled lives. It’s so easy to get caught up in desires, acquiring, wanting, and grasping at the world. That never ending wanting reality to be different than it is, a major source of suffering in the world. Not wanting things to be the way they are can either be used to initiate action to change, or just a place to do a lot of social based whining and complaining. What I hear is mostly whining and complaining. That’s not a judgement about others that’s a judgement about me. I find myself whining and complaining, as though if I do that enough things will change.

Nope. The reality of the universe as it is doesn’t care about what I would rather experience. So the best thing is to see what needs to change and do what I can to change it. Now if only I can remember that.

Here are some things that have come into a sharper focus lately.

I have people in my life who care about me and I care about deeply.

I have blogging friends who are so bright, funny, thoughtful, sensitive, and willing to share themselves.

I have what I need.

I have more than I need.

I have learned that the world doesn’t end when I don’t get what I want.

I have learned that being kind is a way of life.

I have learned that everyone expresses themselves differently, and if I don’t agree, I can still support them as people. (That’s important!)

I support your right to believe in your belief’s.

I have learned to be grateful for those things that I can no longer do, like meeting in our Tuesday group every other week in a live format. ( I have learned to appreciate Zoom, Skype, and Google duo, and WordPress.)

I am grateful for learning these things, they are the sweet in the Bittersweet.

Take care of you and what you love.

Bryan Wagner