My thoughts today are revolving around Earth Day. And materialism. There was something I read the other day in Pema Chodron's book "When Things Fall Apart", that just might be applicable today. She was discussing the times when we are "nailed by life" and all defenses are not working.
"Most of us do not take these situations as teachings. We automatically hate them. We run like crazy. We use all kinds of ways to escape - all addictions stem from this moment when we meet our edge and we just can't stand it. We feel we have to soften it, pad it with something, and we become addicted to whatever it is that seems to ease the pain. In fact, the rampant materialism that we see in the world stems from this moment."
Today I intend to think about how I pad these moments, because I certainly do. What about you? How do you "pad" your moments?
26 comments:
With wine. Lots of wine.
sometimes...esp for special occasion n celebration....by taking picture!~
Since I was a child, I used writing to pad those moments. Every traumatic event in my life has a song, essay, or story about it. It is how I vent.
Nothing blunts real pain
but for minor irritants
chatting to friends
a glass of wine
on-line solitaire
fudge.........
then a long walk
or playing with the dog
I like the wine thing from Jeninacide, but I also work (hard) to surround me with people who keep the edge. In memory, in growth, in direction forward.
They are the balloons that keep the chair up there in the clouds.
Love this post, and this question!
EFH
It's Earth Day today?! I didn't know that! I've been busy preparing a post for International Book Day tomorrow!!!
No time for a full blown post, but you said you wanted to see spring elsewhere so I guess this is a good moment for me to start sharing some pix from my neighbourhood!
And maybe I'll go around the appartment and make sure no lights are on that don't need to be... ;o)
With friends...oh yeah, and the wine works too.
wow,your post hit home for me. Just re-enforces how this theme is something I must work with for now.
I have been doing some work on that as well. Mine was inspired by the South Africa April release of the Oprah Magazine.
An article by Oprah asked the question "What are you really hungry for??"
I finally started seeing how addiction to ciggarettes, alcohol, food etc exists. We all have our drug of choice that helps us cope! But I also realise the power of self awareness and understanding what is really lacking that the "drug" clouds!
Been a true rewarding experience to discover some truth everytime I get hungry and ask that question. Sometimes the answers reveal some meaty truth to deal with! Have a great one X
PS my drugs of choice include food and more food and tv show re-runs!
When you truly 'look' at your Self you set your Self free, and beginning the road to freedom and peace it to many, a scary thought indeed......
Great post, love the flowers.
me? a simple contemplation and being alone most of the time. When kids are in school that's when i have more time to be with myself thingking of what's going on around us. sometimes with friends.
ditto with Jeninacide.
I used to write when I was in despair. That was in my twenties. I believed you had to suffer and then write and I have saved much of what I wrote and it's not half bad. Do not like the idea of the suffering however.
Long walks outdoors, being with nature, talking, looking, listening. Walks like that usually are a great vehicle for working things out.
If possible I do 'escape' into the sea, swimming until I fear of being to far out, which makes me again happy to return ashore. Meanwhile I (hopefully) realised that nearly everything will turn out well - otherwise I again swim ...
My padding is usually getting out and hiking or lifting weights. It used to be red wine and pizza and horror movies - but that got expensive! :-)
Exercise has certainly allowed me to take the edge off. Sitting quietly in a "green" place. Walking around the yard with my cat on my shoulder. Taking a nap with the dog. I'm trying to think when was the last time I actually had the time to do any of those things. Time to regroup, refocus.
I pad with everything I do...work, smoking and ... here... Life's activities are the pad. I should pick up the book... to pad my time :)Happy Earth Day!
I would say I go to a quiet place alone and pray, think, write. Often I like to go out in nature, hike, look at the ocean. All of those things help me to put things in perspective. I've always said adversity is a blessing. We grow the most and become so much better people when we view our troubles as lessons. I believe mine have always helped me to become a better person. Not fun while in the heat of the problem, but so wonderful when we emerge anew :D
Neat post!
I have been a runner most of my life, when at all possible I tried to run (figuratively) faster than those moments of suffering. Running away didn't work...it increased my suffering. I've attempted to pad those moments with different things over the years. The constant activity I've used is writing. I have a hope chest filled with journals and notebooks. I love how I stop by and read exactly what I need to read at that moment. I am practicing mindfulness and meditating on The Sun My Heart by Thich Nhat Hahn. I remember buying Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron for my youngest son when he was in middle school so I'm going to go to his boxes in the basement and borrow it when I wake up. Thanks for the nourishing food for thought. I love your blog, it's beginning to feel like home. Happy Earth Day.
Great shots and I love that book!
Um, yeah that wine thing worked until my alcoholic genes kicked in. I don't mean to make light of this, as my sobriety is everything and is a beautiful escape from escape!
Still, sleep is my thing, I must admit.
Walking around my garden with my dogs and checking the seeds that I have sown.Early in the morning I sometimes just stop and listen to the birds.It works for me. Gave up on red wine never really padded those moments I just thought it did
I pad with ice cold coca cola. It always makes me feel better. But i don't see the relationship between padding and earth day????
i keep watching Television and ignore the world behind me ... or else start reading a book. i never tried wine... i ll do that when i start to earn .
Usually with my mind. Thinking too much instead of feeling is a very effective pad, but thankfully I am kicking the habit.
the sauce is on!
http://yesisred.blogspot.com/2009/04/getting-redder-sauce_22.html
I just finished reading her book, it was very good. Be careful these Buddhist books are a lot like potato chips...can't read just one. THEN when you read lots of them; you find life suddenly becoming more beautiful...those things that used to annoy the stuff out of you no longer has an effect and you see everything from a very different perspective.
It DOES take a long time though.
Whalechaser
Bubble baths...that's my escape, plus writing (or more like venting)...sometimes both done at the same time.
On a day where stress seems to be chasing me down, the bubbles call my name, and i can spend hours in the tub...then, of course, a prune emerges and I wonder "why the heck did I stay in there so long?"...
I used to pad my moments with alcohol. Now I pad them with my computer, a good book that allows me to escape, a season of "The L Word", or just some time spent with me and my piano.
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