I'm slowly acquainting myself with mindfulness-based principles. Almost voraciously, I'm reading books and articles that can contribute to what has quickly become an enlightened path for me. Everything is endlessly interesting, but one particular line has stood out: "Someday...all that has happened will simply be information for you." I love this. It might seem harsh and a bit unfeeling to the untrained eye, but to me, it signifies an end to longing. An end to wondering, picking things apart, running scenes through my mind as though they're salient moments in history. Information isn't good and it isn't bad: information is a set of facts that has no bearing on my present faculties.
And endings. They come sharp and fast, but they're everywhere. The days are fleeting, the seasons pass, and we're left in a constant state of flux. And, as someone who has no faith in a god, I'm left to believe that there's no everlasting eternity for us and our loved ones to unite in unadulterated bliss. Therefore, I believe this is it. The endings enrich the beginnings, and our everlasting bond is but a fleeting moment in this we call life.
I've encountered a lot of people who are impatient with feelings. The "bootstrap" mentality is not something I could ever subscribe to. No one has a right to tell us how deeply we should feel, how much happiness we should radiate, or how much sadness we incur. In fact, this approach only compounds the problem. As we resist and deaden our pain, it festers inside and taints our every interaction. To feel pain, heartbreak, or disappointment--to understand the triggers and patterns--we only need to open ourselves fully. It's there that we can bring loving kindness to ourselves.
Thank you to my dear friend, a, for this beautiful song that remains a favorite.
