WalkaboutWirt Blog Post #10
The occupant of No. 10 Downing Street during WWII, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, was known for clever, quotable quips. He apparently said: "Never let a good crisis go to waste". So in appreciation of his wisdom, during this time of 'crisis' like no other in history, it is a great opportunity for me to be creative - both getting things done and doing nothing - beyond contemplating. . . in balance of course - ha!
My favorite place to simply relax and to solve some of the problems of the world (as well as consider my own probs), is in the bath. It's also a great place to let some of those real or imagined issues go down the drain.
Settle in up to my neck in hot water; a symbolic place as well not unfamiliar to me. Occasionally I am awoken surrounded by a cold, wet envelope - the heat having gradually dissipated in my oblivious bliss. One night last week I set a new record for me. The frigid shock was added to by the hands on the clock - it was 3 hours since I had entered my revered retreat! I exited quite smartly but unfortunately left any enlightened thoughts behind in my wake.
During my hours of soaking, contemplation, and solitary silent internal debate over recent times, I have reflected a good deal on the behavior of humanity and Nature through this crisis. I have shared some of that in earlier blogs. There is much to take in from a variety of sources through the senses - the reporting through various media from around the world, the actions of authorities and reactions for the populace, and of course that of my self, my friends, and my family.
As I process reported events from my own perspective and observe the reactions of others, it brings up a range of thoughts and emotions I have to deal with. I try not to overload on the input so as to not be able to manage it all - to maintain a sense of mental and emotional balance. That gets tested some days more than others; naturally. That's life in any circumstance, but more so currently in common with much of our populace.
My thoughts and emotions are generally managed quite well most of the time - I think. But of course, some days a button marked "PMO" (pisses me off) gets pushed. From seemingly out of nowhere my mood can change from relative serenity to indignation/anger/resentment/etc to outrage! Probably all good to get something off my chest in the scheme of things, I give it a time boundary to spew, and then go to into re-compose mode - STOP; BREATHE; get over it; move on.
There are other buttons as well to deal with sadness, despair, and such. They get the same treatment. I won't give fear more than a single breath. It is usually a reaction to a matter for which I have no control over, so why let it reach a point beyond reason and ruin my day eh? Sometimes it's easier than others, but the cost of continuing isn't worth the damage to my well-being, so hopefully, sensibility will restore my demeanor to a happier state.
There are ways I've talked about before which are handy and effective. Last Friday I had to resort to an old one I try not to use as a crutch when I feel some of the above. The evening news came on as we were about to enjoy a beautiful steak, onions, mushrooms/garlic with baked potato and veg. A story was covered that pushed my PMO button . . . hard! That did it! I found a bottle of organic shiraz in the rack, dusted it off, and poured two glasses. Ahhh . . . crisis at my end soothed . . . solved! Never let a good crisis, or a great bottle of red, go to waste!
Fortunately, most 'annoyances' are quite trivial - though perhaps persistent - like my hair not having been cut for many weeks. I don't know whether to laugh, cringe or cry when I forget to NOT look at myself in the mirror. There I see the image of the current British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson's hair attached to the top of my head. Scary stuff! I hope all your current concerns are just as insignificant. I feel so blessed to have bathtime to let those matters just go down the drain to allow more creative thinking. Take care!
Greg
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