“The which 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, no less than to most of us. Maybe particularly this time of 12 months once we are to: Lose 20 kilos! Be Higher Canine Individuals! Work out! Eat extra kale! Be taught to Communicate Canine Like a Native! Be taught Chinese language! Be taught to Communicate Chinese language Canine!
Ah, however wait. What if simply being alive was sufficient? What if we use the start of a brand new 12 months to not “higher ourselves,” however to commit to easily and really appreciating what now we have? It’s clear that that is one thing I’m engaged on myself . . . Trying via previous 12 months’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 12 months? I wrote about SAVORING particular moments in 2022, and having FEWER To Do lists on my 12 months’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 fighting having simply BEING is sufficient, versus measuring ourselves by a set of accomplishments. That’s one of many causes that buddy and colleague Lynn Ungar’s latest Substack submit resonated so deeply after I learn it. Right here’s a piece of what she wrote:
What should you approached the brand new 12 months not with gritted-teeth resolve, however moderately with a way that you’re circling round one thing that issues, by no means fairly in the identical place, perhaps just a little wobbly in the way you go, however linked by an invisible thread that shapes your path? What may change, tiny second by insignificant determination, should 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 may maintain you captive?
Lynn Ungar, Not resisters, Transformers.
It’s on this piece that Lynn suggests we think about reVolution for the brand new 12 months, as an alternative of reSolution, however not in a name to arms sort of method. Reasonably, 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 variety particular person, 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 variety 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 may be onerous 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 variety to ourselves as we’re our greatest associates?
(Necessary apart: Kindness doesn’t imply being weak when it’s good to be sturdy, or not combating for what we imagine in. We are able to all be warriors once we have to be, with kindness as our tenet.)
Right here’s yet one more factor I’m taking to coronary heart, this 12 months and hopefully in all years to return; the recommendation of everybody’s favourite recommendation columnist (sure?), Caroline Hax, paraphrased as: In occasions of hassle, Zoom in or Zoom out. That means, moderately than wanting 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 canines barely perceptible within the woods. Right here’s a photograph of that now.
Oh wait, it’s not, however it’s an opportunity to be variety to myself. I interrupted this for a bunch of appointments, got here again in to complete it, however needed 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 after I really feel overwhelmed. You?
All of us can assure that one thing goes to occur in 2025 that feels too too onerous, or nearly too onerous 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 carry me! There may be a lot compassion and kindness in our village, I’m grateful for it each day.
MEANWHILE, again on the farm: It’s getting darkish and the canines have to eat and one thing much 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 troublesome, 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,
“Karen’s legacy lives on in each wagging tail, each joyful click on, and each second of connection shared between folks and animals.”
Relaxation in peace, pricey buddy, 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, should you’re new to all this, learn up on her legacy, and the way she is accountable for making your life, and the lifetime of the animals you’re keen on, so very significantly better.
