Steven, I wanted to say thanks for the talk we had about acceptance. I told you tonight at the kwoon how I did acceptance training while stuck in stooped interstate traffic. It was actually amazing that at the exact time I accepted the fact that I was not going to be on time for class and possibly not be there at all, my attitude, my mood, even my whole perspective of the situation changed.
I am really glad that I recalled our talk at that particular time. I was frustrated with the distance I had to travel, with the other drivers, with the whole situation. I finally accepted the fact that I would be extremely late at the least, there was nothing I could do about it, and that was that. Then I looked at myself. How many times have I said I wish I had more time for self reflection, to think, or even to think of nothing and watch the grass grow. Here I was, wasting a golden opportunity for the very things I wanted more time to do! From that point on, I had a smile on my face, I understood that the other drivers were stuck in the same situation as me, and the likely cause of the traffic jam that was merely a frustration to the hundreds of vehicles stuck in it was most likely a tragedy for someone else. When I considered the situation in that light, I was ashamed of myself for complaining in the first place.
I think acceptance is something I need to start training for on a daily basis. To make it a part of my workout and daily routine. Acceptance leads to good things. I can't recall a time when I spent such a long drive without the worries and hectic scheduling occupying most of my thoughts. I actually enjoyed the drive despite missing class! Thanks again for the lesson.
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Thanks for sharing your epiphany. Speaking from the perspective of someone else who drives many miles ... I too find it frustrating when things outside my control keep me from getting where I'm going, like the day I had a flat tire (and turned it into a bigger disaster than it should have been). Those times are a really big acceptance challenge! I think hearing about your experience will help me in the future.
ReplyDeleteBut generally, driving long distances is my "me" time. I like the feel of a good car in my hands, the curves in the country roads that I know so well. I keep some good CDs in the visor, sing a lot (don't laugh!), and sometimes listen to whole books on tape. I've got Sun Tzu's Art of War if you want to borrow it ...