meandering

There's an old Inuit story that I heard once on Northern Exposure as told by the Inuit character whose name I don't remember.  The story is of a tribal chief and his various "misfortunes".  I've tried to find a record of this tale by searching Inuit folktales, but I could never find it.  Among other misfortunes that befell the chief, his son went off to battle but was thrown from his horse on the way there and had to return home injured.  At the time, all the members of his tribe told him how unfortunate this was, but time proved that the misfortune was in fact a fortunate turn because all those who fought that day were killed.  Over and over again, the chief experienced setbacks and misfortunes, and each time he was told how unfortunate he was - only to see later that these experiences were not misfortunes at all. 

I wish I could find the story, but if I never do, I will always remember its message that we can't always see what's best while we are in the moment, and only later or much later is it possible to judge the value of certain misfortunes.

posted by: behindtheblink at 11:41 | link | comments (2) |

The way you play a simple game says something about who you are, I think.  I sometimes play backgammon online to improve my skills and knowledge of the game.  Backgammon is simple and not simple depending upon your level, meaning the more experienced you become the more complexity you can bring to a game.  I'm someplace in the intermediate range.

Sometimes I win and sometimes I lose, but the real challenge is to practice (dare I speak the oft-used word?) equanimity in the face of either outcome:  to view myself as a student of the game and not be carried away by ego or anger when the opponent acts like a bozo by doubling in the last few moves of the game.  To be happy when I win but not to let it go to my head.  To persevere and hang in there when the die consistently roll in my disfavor. 

Lots of people around the world seem to be online playing.  Unfortunately, too many of the players just quit the game if they see they're about to lose.  This is pretty aggravating when you've invested 30, 40 minutes in a match only to have the whole thing scrapped.  Hey! just another golden opportunity to practice equanimity!

posted by: behindtheblink at 17:09 | link | comments (2) |

the water is cold and fills my ears
were you to sneak up on me now
i'd surely not hear a sound
under a cascade don't hear a sound

bombarded by the magnitude of life and shit
and things fly by unseen, unfelt, unheard
can a life capture a moment hold it still
hold your breath and watch it fade

so much futility boundless as the mind
who looks about and cannot fathom
that it must not and cannot be fathomed
so let it go let the breath go let it go and go

posted by: behindtheblink at 14:40 | link | comments (5) |

Intellectualizing growth.  Dissecting the seed to predict its path and form.  Verbosity can drown the noblest feeling.  I prefer crickets to trumpets.  Miles and acres of crickets and frogs.  They have a refreshing song I need to hear.  Wild colors fade to gentle blues and golds and words escape me as I let them go.

posted by: behindtheblink at 23:42 | link | comments (4) |