Image by Henryk Niestrój from Pixabay
Ok, so… since the first of January, have I really had one-hundred twenty-seven good days in a row? Of course not. Going back over some of my previous entries could easily highlight that truth. And yet, with perspective…
… I have had one-hundred twenty-seven good days in a row.
Sure, I got sick, my shoulder progressively worsened, and my eyesight grows more and more like my underground-dwelling pastoral namesake than I’d care to admit… and I’ve no control over my mechanical-self deteriorating. Let’s start by ruling out that standard-issue aging is not something that can prevent us from having a good day. Our attitude toward this inevitable fact of existence; however, is a different matter entirely. With practice, we can change our attitudes easily enough (barring any medically-necessary life-challenges).
It’s not what I think, or how I feel that give me the opportunity to embrace a “good day”. It’s what I do that makes my days “good”. In my good works, my day is made “good”.
Through my study, writing, pastoral meetings, church upkeep, research, cooking for my family, caring for my wife and stepson… through all these things, my day is made good. In all these things, I dedicate the merit of the doing to others. It’s never mine. My work is transformed into the crops of practice and Hospitality to sustain my congregants and those I love. My own labors are what feeds my spirit, only after I witness others, in joy, sharing in the great bounty we’ve co-created. That’s my own little internal daily work. It’s what I do as I move through my days: generate merit for others.
How could those not be good days?
According to Epictetus, the gods Themselves held to the principle that, “... if you want something good, get it from yourself.” (Discourses, 1.29.4) We need to find what each of our individual methods are to be responsible for our own “good” days. Once found, we must put that happiness-engine to work.
Do good things. It’s up to you. No one else can do them for you.
In closing, I’d like to wish each of you who read this a very, good day. Today, and all days.
(See y’all tomorrow)
… I have had one-hundred twenty-seven good days in a row.
Sure, I got sick, my shoulder progressively worsened, and my eyesight grows more and more like my underground-dwelling pastoral namesake than I’d care to admit… and I’ve no control over my mechanical-self deteriorating. Let’s start by ruling out that standard-issue aging is not something that can prevent us from having a good day. Our attitude toward this inevitable fact of existence; however, is a different matter entirely. With practice, we can change our attitudes easily enough (barring any medically-necessary life-challenges).
It’s not what I think, or how I feel that give me the opportunity to embrace a “good day”. It’s what I do that makes my days “good”. In my good works, my day is made “good”.
Through my study, writing, pastoral meetings, church upkeep, research, cooking for my family, caring for my wife and stepson… through all these things, my day is made good. In all these things, I dedicate the merit of the doing to others. It’s never mine. My work is transformed into the crops of practice and Hospitality to sustain my congregants and those I love. My own labors are what feeds my spirit, only after I witness others, in joy, sharing in the great bounty we’ve co-created. That’s my own little internal daily work. It’s what I do as I move through my days: generate merit for others.
How could those not be good days?
According to Epictetus, the gods Themselves held to the principle that, “... if you want something good, get it from yourself.” (Discourses, 1.29.4) We need to find what each of our individual methods are to be responsible for our own “good” days. Once found, we must put that happiness-engine to work.
Do good things. It’s up to you. No one else can do them for you.
In closing, I’d like to wish each of you who read this a very, good day. Today, and all days.
(See y’all tomorrow)
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