Now that it’s December and I’ve got time to catch my breath I’ve been thinking about stress (what a fun topic).
It’s true that Errol is probably not going to get to enjoy many of the wonderful things typical people enjoy, but he’s also not going to be encumbered by many of the worst parts of normal life.
One of the great burdens of modern life is how difficult it is to live in the moment. Our moments are so often filled worrying about things like money, the other line at the grocery store moving faster than ours (why didn’t I chose line 7 @#*%#*!!!), making that light (drivers are crazy), 401K plans (yikes), plumbing, and the National Intelligence Estimate, that we can hardly enjoying the moment (which, when you think about it, is all you really have). I’ve traveled around the world, and I can assure you that we Americans are a seriously stressed out people.
Errol is about as stressed out as the Dalai Lama after a few drinks. He just doesn’t let things get to him. He is our little Buddha. People spend years on spiritual journeys, meditating, medicating, and reading self-help books, just to try to get like Errol: in the moment, centered, serene, happy.
Don’t get me wrong. Anticipation can be a lovely thing (Hot Toddies at 8 tonight, that new red tunic that's in the mail, the smell of dinner cooking), and it’s smart to plan for the future (note to self; wear underwear to work); but only so much. Ideally, I would trade some of my future for Errol’s present, and I’m trying.
Errol’s life, which stretches from happy moment to happy moment, is something I want to emulate, and the more time I spend with Early Bird, the more his joy rubs off on me. And it’s not just me. It’s remarkable how happy people are when they hold Errol. Although out little champ weighs in at about 24 pounds (he’s a hoss), most folks don’t want to let go of him. After all, how often do you get to hold joy in your arms?
1 comment:
I don't know if you have seen the article at
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/boyinthemoon
Written by Ian Brown about his son Walker. There is a quote by from paediatrician who was working with his son:
"The Buddhists say the way to enlightenment, to pure being, is by getting your mind out of the way. I'm not trying to be trite, but Walker already knows how to do that. He is pure being. He may be developmentally delayed, or moderately retarded, but in that way, he's already miles ahead of most of us."
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