“The that means of life is simply to be alive.
It’s so plain and so apparent and so easy.”
Alan Watts.
However, in fact, it’s not so easy, not less than to most of us. Maybe particularly this time of yr after we are to: Lose 20 kilos! Be Higher Canine Folks! Work out! Eat extra kale! Study to Converse Canine Like a Native! Study Chinese language! Study to Converse Chinese language Canine!
Ah, however wait. What if simply being alive was sufficient? What if we use the start of a brand new yr to not “higher ourselves,” however to commit to easily and actually appreciating what now we have? It’s clear that that is one thing I’m engaged on myself . . . Trying via previous yr’s “New Yr’s” posts, I see a constant theme evolving: In January of 2024, I wrote about taking DELIGHT in even tiny issues. In 2023, I wrote about how do you wish to FEEL in the course of the yr? I wrote about SAVORING particular moments in 2022, and having FEWER To Do lists on my yr’s To Do listing of 2021.
I’d wager the farm (and I’ve one to placed on the desk), that I’m not alone in combating having simply BEING is sufficient, versus measuring ourselves by a set of accomplishments. That’s one of many causes that pal and colleague Lynn Ungar’s current Substack put up resonated so deeply once I learn it. Right here’s a piece of what she wrote:
What in the event you approached the brand new yr not with gritted-teeth resolve, however reasonably with a way that you’re circling round one thing that issues, by no means fairly in the identical place, perhaps a bit wobbly in the way you go, however related by an invisible thread that shapes your path? What would possibly change, tiny second by insignificant determination, in the event you noticed your self as orbiting round Love or Freedom or Curiosity or Justice or Compassion or Creativity or Pleasure or Exploration or no matter star would possibly maintain you captive?
Lynn Ungar, Not resisters, Transformers.
It’s on this piece that Lynn suggests we think about reVolution for the brand new yr, as a substitute of reSolution, however not in a name to arms form of manner. Fairly, within the sense that revolution additionally means to revolve round one thing. She asks: What will we wish to revolve round in 2025? I like, love this query!
I’ve contemplated this for a number of days, and have determined I wish to revolve round kindness. I wish to be somebody who sheds kindness like a Pyrenees sheds fur in spring, who sends tufts of it into the breeze like a dandelion. To be surrounded by a air-borne cloak of it like Pigpen in Peanuts. I’ll say that I consider myself as a usually, largely type individual, however that doesn’t imply I can’t do higher. I’ve my moments, simply ask Jim. And, like many, I’ve the toughest time being type to myself. This doesn’t imply I don’t spoil myself with hours on the sofa with Maggie and Skip and Jim as therapists, and Netflix as leisure, to not point out chocolate . . . however nonetheless, I’m the Queen of Second Guessers, and could be arduous on myself for not saying this, or for saying that when it was silly or unkind or unhelpful or actually silly . . . I do know I’m not alone on this, so how about we be as type to ourselves as we’re our greatest pals?
(Necessary apart: Kindness doesn’t imply being weak when it is advisable to be robust, or not preventing for what we imagine in. We are able to all be warriors after we have to be, with kindness as our tenet.)
Right here’s yet another factor I’m taking to coronary heart, this yr and hopefully in all years to come back; the recommendation of everybody’s favourite recommendation columnist (sure?), Caroline Hax, paraphrased as: In occasions of hassle, Zoom in or Zoom out. That means, reasonably than trying on the traditional view of life, suppose like a digital camera, and focus, maybe, on one thing tiny like the colour or your favourite sweater, or your first sip of tea or espresso within the morning, or, these Zoomed in shut ups of Skip and Maggie.
Or go huge, and take a look at the celebrities, or at a dawn, or your canine barely perceptible within the woods. Right here’s a photograph of that now.
Oh wait, it’s not, but it surely’s an opportunity to be type to myself. I interrupted this for a bunch of appointments, got here again in to complete it, however wished to take Skip out earlier than darkish to work him on the sheep. My intention was to take my digital camera out and get a shot of (as written above), a canine barely perceptible within the woods. Forgot the digital camera. Actually needed to cease myself from saying “Trisha, you fool.” A triumph for right now!
And, wait, all is effectively, right here’s an analogous shot of Skip within the woods from October, Zooming out:
I’ve discovered this Zoom in/Zoom out recommendation to be invaluable recommendation once I really feel overwhelmed. You?
All of us can assure that one thing goes to occur in 2025 that feels too too arduous, or virtually too arduous to deal with. I hold this advise near me when these issues occur. Whereas surrounding myself, and my family members, with kindness.
I’m sending that kindness out to you all proper now–what a pleasure you all deliver me! There’s a lot compassion and kindness in our village, I’m grateful for it on daily basis.
MEANWHILE, again on the farm: It’s getting darkish and the canine must eat and one thing way more necessary than my little farm occurred this weekend. Karen Pyror died on Saturday January 4, and if the earth didn’t cease spinning, it ought to have. It was Karen who took the science of studying out of the laboratory, and into the true world. First, coaching dolphins, then revolutionizing the world of canine coaching, and the branching out to the instructing of all species, together with the world’s most tough, us.
Someplace, I’ve a photograph of Karen and I collectively, however that’s one thing I can discover in my very own time, when the mud has settled. For now, thanks Wikipedia.
There’s no higher tribute to her than what’s discovered on the Karen Pryor Academy website, “Remembering Karen Pyror.” They are saying, and I agree wholeheartedly,
Relaxation in peace, pricey pal, the celebrities are fortunate to have you ever.
In case you are so inclined, inform us in regards to the impact she has had in your life. And, in the event you’re new to all this, learn up on her legacy, and the way she is answerable for making your life, and the lifetime of the animals you like, so very significantly better.