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The Song of the Snow —
Melting Away Catastrophic Expectations
The beautiful snow falls regardless of what we say and plan. In the middle of the blizzard, which is no blizzard, the sound of snow taps at my window as I sit on the cushion and smile. I have to laugh. A thousand plans and expectations in our lives arise and melt just like the snow. All day before the storm, which is no storm, we live as if the snow were already here. All of us start shopping, planning, cancelling activities, making sure we will be able to stay safe and warm. Taking appropriate action is wise, of course, no one can say otherwise. But, the day before, living as if the storm were already here, fearing it, hating it, being in the midst of it when it is only a possibility in our minds, spoils the reality of this precious day. Likewise, allowing our catastrophic expectations to guide the course of our days, disrupts the harmony and well being we live in. It causes us to suffer greatly, as if these expectations had already happened, when most of the time, they, too, have no basis and melt away. Of course our entire lives are like that. We live in expectation of what could happen, not in the reality of what is here now. Then we feel lost without a way to truly respond to what is right in front of our eyes. Beyond that, we do not realize that snow freezes, melts, swirls, drifts away. It is here for a moment only, tapping on our windowpane, singing a song that is truly wondrous. If we put aside all the opinions, feelings and expectations, stop running around, be still and listen, we can hear what the snow truly wants to say. Exercise:
Brenda Shoshanna, Ph.D. www.brendashoshanna.com, offers talks and workshops on simplifying our hearts and lives, letting go of the sense of burden, so we can live without regret and be all that we are. The author of a wide variety of books, she is a long term Zen practitioner and Interfaith counsellor. Along with offering talks andworkshops on Zen practice to those of all faiths, her most recent workshop, Steppingstones to Happiness is based on the Sedona Releasing Method and the principles and practice of Zen). Contact her at topspeaker@yahoo.com.
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What do you fear will take place that you dread? How do you plan for the likelihood of it? 