January 14, 2004

Amazing, the things that make me happy…




Today was an interesting day. There are times when I feel that I am dancing on the edge of a razor. But what the hell? If I'm going to slice myself to shreds, do it in style and with a sense of panache! Verve: that's my word for the day. I've decided that I don't want my epitaph to read, "He was a good man." I'd rather it read, "Damn, the dude had verve!" I have a long ways to go on that one, but my dance on the edge of the razor will certainly qualify me for some style points.

I was supremely happy at lunch. I had a good cup of coffee and a simple sandwich. Damn, it was good. Something about good food, no matter how simple it is, that sets the tone for a good life. Silly things make me happy: my cow-shaped creamer that my daughters got me for Christmas, good French Roast (Italian Roast, even better), good music, wit, humor. All of these things contribute to my well-being more than I am capable of saying.

I came across a list of ten questions, part of a self-help book I think. I thought that they bore consideration. The list is reproduced below (as is the link, located with a "Google" search of the author's name):

1. Will this choice propel me to an inspiring future or will it keep me stuck in the past?

2. Will this choice bring me long-term fulfillment or short term gratification?

3. Am I standing in my own power or am I trying to please another?

4. Am I looking for what's right or what's wrong?

5. Will this choice add to my life force or will it rob me of my energy?

6. Will I use this situation to grow and evolve or will I use it to beat myself up?

7. Does this choice empower me or disempower me?

8. Is this an act of self love or self-sabotage?

9. Is this an act of faith or is it an act of fear?

10. Am I choosing from my divinity or from my humanity?

-- from Debbie Ford, "The Right Questions"

Now, and for the record, I need to say that I take issue with many of the ways that the questions are framed. I do not distinguish, for example, between my divinity and humanity. I am a creature born of flesh and blood. I don't worry too much about the inner-god, as I consider that nonsense. Instead, I see this as my connection to the whole, to life-itself. Still, despite some minor issues, the questions provide a framework for consideration. Swap out the term "an act of," and substitute "Do I act..." as a general means for reflection and I think that we are onto something. Not that this is overly original, indeed, the best ideas are merely resonance of that which we all already know (OK, I am an unabashed Platonist!). This is a simple way to think about them. Besides, the writer appears to me to be yet another self-serious,high-cost new-age "healer" that packaged and plagiarised what the ancients have asked all along. There are some things we should not need to pay for, wisdom being first on that list.

In all fairness, I have to say that I have never read the book - nor do I intend to - and, as such, can say nothing about it. It was the list of the questions that were posted on a friend's coworker's webpage that intrigued me. Besides, we all have to answer them for ourselves. No book can do that for us!

I've decided that I need a discipline to renew my spiritual quest. I will consider one of these questions daily for the next several days, and you, gentle reader, will have the benefit of my so-called wisdom. If nothing else it is good for a laugh at my expense. But I have always been happy in my role as the court jester, a poet with the soul of a clown.

Truly, the simple things make me happy. And that colors how I perceive the reality that I inhabit.

Ah, but I am just a fool...