I have started, stopped and restarted this post more times than I can count. It is hard to select words to send out into this void that don’t ring alarms bells, or sound angry, self-righteous or frivolous – or strike redundant and obvious. Racial tensions and Covid are strewn across headlines and social media, they wind their way into almost every human interaction. It seems impossible to find a safe place and the mental space to just breathe. At least for me.
I have turned to Pema Chodren, I have tried meditating longer and when that didn’t work I have tried meditating more often for shorter sessions – but with little success. My mind so easily wanders that sitting is torture. A restlessness follows me to the mat and plays folly with my mind. I long for enough mental silence to hear my heart beat and feel the sweet release of the exhale.
Some of you may have favorite poems, mantras or prayers to use in times like this. I have a movie. So – I pulled up “I Am” by Tom Shadyac on my Amazon account and watched it for the 15th or so time. (My love affair with this movie is explained below.*)
I went looking for more. He wrote a book – “Life’s Operating Manual”. I finished it this morning. There in those pages, I was smacked with the answer to searching for sukha… He manages to beautifully sum up the purpose of this humble blog in one profound sentence.
I would like to share it with you.
“We don’t become happy by focusing on happiness, by pursuing it; we focus instead on what is true, what is good, what is right – and happiness follows.”
—- Tom Shadyac
Long-lasting contentment is about a life well-loved.
What is more true, more good or more right than living from a place of love?
It isn’t about winning an argument, following a passion, traveling to exotic places, creating the best vision board or running a marathon. Don’t get me wrong – those are very admirable accomplishments. But as Shadyac reveals it’s about “human being”, not “human doing.”
I could use a little more “being.” How about you?
Perhaps we can figure it out together. I could use a lot more conversations on community and compassion. Conversations based around love could very well lead us to much-needed relief and solutions. At the very least, a safe place to exhale.
Thank you Mr. Shadyac for getting me out of my head and back into my heart.
XOXO
-Di
*Written and directed by Tom Shadyac – whose prior credits include Liar, Liar and Bruce Almighty. I could write pages about this movie, but not today. I turn to this movie when my faith in this world is shaky. Why? Because before I watched this movie, I thought there was something inherently wrong with my way of thinking. The movie motivated me to write a research paper on cooperation. The research I completed for that paper changed my life. I wasn’t broken, I was living closer to my true nature than others around me. Closer – but far from true. Still a work in progress…
Mr. Shadyac presents two questions “what is wrong with the world?” and “what is right with the world?”. Spoiler alert – the answer is “I am.” Give it a try.
Finding Happiness in an Ordinary Life 