Things we take for granted

Whenever I have a day or two of feeling yucky, I’m soooo relieved to have my full energy back again.

It’s interesting that when I had my one-day intestinal thing on Monday, it occurred to both Ramesha and I that maybe I was getting a small taste — just a little hint — of how I might feel after the bone marrow transplant.

And in reflecting on it further, I’m beginning to understand that the reason I find it so shocking to not have energy is because I take having high energy for granted! I feel that it’s my due, because I’ve always had it.

Well, that’s been my good karma in this lifetime, but I realize that it has limited my ability to comprehend and have compassion for people with a different reality.

Which got me thinking about how we all have at least one “something” that comes easily and naturally to us (for me, it’s been good health and high energy, as well as liking people and having people like me; someone else might be naturally good with money or extremely disciplined, etc. — you get the idea).

But often we can tend to get impatient with someone who struggles with the thing that comes so naturally to us. We don’t understand why they “don’t just…” (snap out of it; get more organized; just do it; etc.).

And maybe this is why sometimes we get a little wake up call, a period of time (hopefully short) when we’re without the thing (that natural gift or ability) that we usually take for granted. Because then we’re experiencing it from the other side and maybe — just maybe — expanding our awareness and learning compassion.

Something to think about.

Silenced once again

Yep, in some ways we’re back to the beginning — no live singing or chanting, for Sunday service or anywhere else at Ananda Village, until January 5 at the earliest.

But in other ways, it’s not like the beginning at all. It’s way more frustrating because of all the time and energy and resources expended in between, for seemingly nothing.

Not to mention the sacrifices!

And yes, a part of me thinks I have some nerve whining about not being able to sing. I mean, I think about all those working on the front lines in hospitals and clinics — from doctors and nurses to food service workers and cleaning crews. I think about the people working in grocery stores and gas stations and pharmacies, so that we can be fed and supplied. And I am so, so grateful for them all.

So, yeah, in some ways we’re back to the beginning, but with a lot more understanding and compassion and — yes — patience.