How I Found Happiness through Lowered Expectations
“There is no need for attainment with nothing to attain.”
(Seung Sahn)
*****
When Dreams become Expectations
we set aside Gratitude to be replaced with Envy.
When wishes and desires
become tyrants
we become slaves to Suffering,
held down by the chains of covetousness
pulling us beneath the waters of Despair,
too blinded by Greed to recognize
the lifeboat of Opportunity
awaiting only
recognition and acknowledgement.
A dream without a plan
is a sparrow’s fart
in a hurricane,
but a dream with a plan
is a goal
that is both patient and tireless
and willing to accept
course corrections
like a sailboat tacking into the wind.
“You’re not the Man I thought you were…”
said she.
“Then open your heart to love the Man I am
he said.
or love me not at all
if it should bring you sorrow,
for I am a living, mutable changing being,
not trophy to be hung upon your wall.”
*****
Even as the moon shall wax and wane
according to her nature
if we should grow apart
gratitude provides the cadence
and patience sets the meter
as acceptance
awaits
the return of
our song.
All is impermanence.
Impermanence is all.
The Uroboros
reminds us we shall meet again.
The Phoenix
teaches us how.
To learn to enjoy Nothing
when we realize
that in having nothing,
we have Nothing in common
except the gratitude
that no one can take from us
for knowing the joy
of the seemingly random coincidence
of having collided in the first place
with no expectations
in the midst of nothing in particular
where Nothing is everywhere.
In that moment we are rich
in our abundance of Nothing.
Be like the Willow
or swim with the tide.
Do not curse
the waters that carry you away
as you swim so hard against the tide,
only to drown
before you have the opportunity
to wash upon my shore again,
or me to yours.
It matters not
which way or how.
The sting of the pangs of nostalgia
that causes us to sigh
and shed a tear
for that which once was
reminds us of its beauty
so we can recognize it once again.
As we gratefully and patiently
welcome its return
if it should be,
and teach us how to be
in that timeless state of grace
that is ours
without asking.
Without demands.
Without expectations.
In the meantime.
