But I thought I should post something today, so here is a child's view to think about as you make your resolutions -
I called my dear friend Teena today when she didn't show up in church. We were in meditation groups together all those years ago, about ten years now, I guess, and you form a bond there with people that is warm and lasting. In fact, this morning two other women came up to me who were in those groups, and who I hadn't seen for years. There is something terrific about sitting in silence with other people.
Teena says her resolution is "Be open-minded and don't get too attached to anything." Very Buddhist, I told her. She didn't mind. She likes to read Buddhist books.
I told her my resolution, arrived at spontaneously a few days ago, is "I'm not going to let this shit get me down." Can't help it, that was the language of the soul. And what I meant was this sickness and aging stuff. It just keeps coming at you, throwing curve balls. I am already much better with it all than I was, say, 10 years ago, when I practically had a nervous breakdown before my thyroid surgery. (It is possible to have your vocal cords damaged by the surgery, though unlikely.) Might as well get used to it, I think now, because aging is inevitable, and this is what it means - things breaking down. I maintain my current commitment to exercising and doing my various PT exercises, too, for my back, neck, and now right arm.
I hope you don't overwhelm yourself with a whole bunch of self-improvement ideas going into the new year, although we can all vow to be kinder and more generous. If you must form a healthy new habit, I recommend daily meditation. It's been good for me in many ways, the best being to have it in place to help you when you're lying awake in a hospital bed.
And of course, no hitting or biting. Not even doctors, tempting as it might be.
