In How to Love, Thich Nhat Hanh shares this:
“Don’t say, ‘Love, compassion, joy, and equanimity are the way that saints love, so since I’m not a saint, I can’t possibly love that way.’ The Buddha was a human being, and he practiced as we do. At first, love can be tainted with attachment, possessiveness, and the desire to control. But with the practice of mindfulness, concentration, and insight, we can transform these hindrances and have a love that is spacious, all-encompassing, and marvelous.”
This reminds me about the power of letting go. If I attach myself to an ideal of love that binds me, then I will not be able to love. I won’t love people by offering them care, time, and attention. I will not open the door to accept them for who they are, their suffering, or my own suffering and approach them with compassion, much less forgiveness or appreciative joy.
When I let go and realize (for the 500th time) that I am powerless over other people, I stop trying to exert my will on them. Over the last two and a half months, I’ve had a lot of feelings of powerlessness where other people are concerned. It was walking me into deeper resentment and feeling isolated. These were choices.
Then—SNAP—a few things happened that opened my eyes again. My wife told me the truth. Caring people reached out. I celebrated a mentor’s one wild and precious life. I rode my bike in the forest. I played my guitar.
So will I listen. I will mind today’s moments.
Peter Walks for Democracy 
“That’s what wives are for!” – as the old song goes. You surely chose the right one! That is good 12-step thinking – if you can’t change your situation, you can always change your reaction towards it. It sounds as though you’ve made some wise choices . I’m doing exactly the same kind of thing. I’m trying not to listen much to the news from Washington, but do what I can right here and now: at my church, and with the Sierra Club, NVEC, and the Village. The keystone of my future plans is going to be finding the right allies to do the right things – and so far, so good, Peter, as well, you know! Thanks, as always, for your leadership, your help, and your friendship – Joan “Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justice now. Love mercy now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work but neither are you free to abandon it.” The Talmud
LikeLike