Ironically, I'm reading "The Book of Joy," a conversation between the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. The book is based on a week-long conversation between the two friends facilitated by a writer, who wrote a book about their discussion. A friend suggested it to me. Though it may sound ludicrous, these guys would make a good morning show. The Lama/Tutu Coffee Hour. Reset your life with advice from the enlightened.
Far from it, I can't claim to be enlightened yet. And, generally speaking, my thoughts assume bad patterns. Negative outcomes. Dwellings on the past. Doggy downers. Basically, a rewinding shitshow (sorry about the vulgarity, couldn't get through this post without one). The Lama/Tutu duo advise that in order to overcome the negativity: think more of others than yourself. And meditate (if you're a lama/Buddhist) or pray (if you're an archibishop/Christian). One main focus should be on compassion. And, in a chemical combo of these two -- caring and compassion -- you'll be a better, happier person.
I'll buy that. Let me take an ohm break. Ah, there, now on with the post.
Do you have enough? |
Back to the mundane dishes. To reframe, the Lama/Tutu way would reconsider the dishes as a representation of abundance. I may have a pile of dirties, but in reality, the dishes show that I've been able to feed myself, my kids, the occasional doe-eyed pet. The dishes also show that there's an element of leisure regarding when I actually need to clean them, because I have a machine that can do the hard work in less than an hour. I don't have to spend a soggy session soaping, rinsing, and drying those dishes, because the dishwasher does most of the work. What a miracle. Most of the world doesn't have this luxury. So, in many ways, the dishes, piled high, crusty and gross, aren't deleterious at all. They are symbolic of privilege and the vast resources available to me.
That certainly puts a different light on those dishes. Does it put a different light on my life?
Yes ... and no. Living in a modern culture, all the trappings of cultural expectations (usually, consumer items) make feeling contented an impossible ideal. How can I feel contented when I don't have X, X, or X, like my neighbor, or co-worker, or that beautiful model in the ad? Admittedly, I consume far less of the "false feed of need" by not watching commercial television or clicking on every idiotic Facebook ad, but it's there, nonetheless. The message is loud and clear: You won't be happy until you do/have/become THIS (insert car, vacation, relationship, book, method, status symbol, coffee grinder, retro LP collection, etc.). Ack. How will we ever overcome the bombardment?
Well, I start with the obvious, which is recognizing the messages never end and are constantly incoming. And, they sometimes are quite sneaky, i.e., "Why, of course, I want to be healthier by doing that new supplement regime touted by Oprah!" (Remember acai?)
And, I'll read the book. And, I'll reread the book. Maybe, I'll even start to meditate. Would that be reaching for X, too? Depends, I suppose, on what I meditate on. Perhaps, just on my abundant dishes.
A comment from a friend: "I like this. One's personality or temperament, seemingly so ineffable, must be born of material circumstance and life experiences; but as we've come to believe, these are "mapped" onto us and can be "re-routed." Hence meditation, hence, the care of others, etc., and hence, the way advertising works. We oddly accept our cultural bombardment of us and don't often think about it as incessant and overwhelming and intended to create us as our economic system deigns. Which is just to say if we believe we are malleable and yet feel so stuck, it's because we are "sold" change while being nailed in place by the sellers. But, that said, I like very much reconceptualizing the dirty dishes; still one can then feel guilty about your comparative largesse...and who needs that?"
ReplyDeleteI just saw the update for the 3rd book in your Musketeer series - does this mean it's back on track? I loved the first two and have been anxiously awaiting the third. I hope you are well and enjoying writing!
ReplyDeleteI am trying soooo hard to finish it. I'm about 130 pages into the story, and I haven't found one single damn way to work sex into the plot (of any significance). Would that be a disappointment, anonymous? Let me know. I may take a poll.
DeleteThe 3rd book is done and out for sale. Buy it and weep.
DeleteNo, not at all. I loved the way you handled the sex scenes in the first two books, but if you're not feeling them for the third, I think Athos et al are fascinating enough to carry your story. Best of luck, and enjoy yourself! <3
ReplyDeleteHave you read it yet? It's getting mixed reviews.
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