The steady sounds of gentle rain was joined last night by the return of the chorus that is the night-time residents of the yard and forest beyond my home. I’m not sure if it is due to an increased awareness of things around me, but I had been concerned lately as it seemed those frogs and crickets were quieter than in times past. While some would complain of the noise, it seems that with age I’ve grown to appreciate the rhythmic patterns of sound that live around us, with dead silence becoming an eerie harbinger of something unpleasant. Is there ever true perfect silence, and if so, does it belong?
As I lay in bed, breathing gently and evenly to relax and drift off into slumber, I considered my day and what I had given and received. Not necessarily seeking an eye-for-an-eye or material gain, I instead considered how I had contributed to the well-being of those I came into contact with, and how perhaps others had done the same for me.
I believe our society has convinced us that we need to maintain the upper-hand whatever the cost in life, playing a never-ending game of “king of the hill” never to be truly won due to even (or blatantly uneven) teams and an insatiable hunger for victory. This belief leads us to an endless quest for material wealth, the next big move in life that will hopefully guarantee that brass ring that we’ve been seeking all our lives, and perhaps the security to know that we’re going to be happy forever. Instead what seems to happen is the brass ring doesn’t quite fit, or the jeweler has decided to make one a bit nicer than the original. Once again, we return to our quest and our misery, lost in life without that which we desire. Some call it Hell, some call it Samsara, others even venture to call it human nature.
What if, instead of this repetitive pattern of pleasure-seeking, we remember what we have forgotten. A loving and supportive family, a home and bed to call our own, a clean glass of fresh water, a beautiful sky, and the sound of a gentle rain and night-time creatures. All things we cherish, all things many of us have every day, yet take for granted because they are simply there, without necessarily seeking our attention, but always willing to put a smile on our face. If somehow we could learn to remember these things, while also making a right-effort to contribute towards a positive way of life for all beings, perhaps we would understand we don’t need to obsess over that which we do not have, but instead on what we do.
And then simply smile…
Recent Comments