Epiphany

I came across a good article on the MethodX site today. The author, Sarah Parsons, writes:

When I lament my ordinary, boring life, I am chastised by Rilke’s words in Letters to a Young Poet: “If your everyday life seems poor, don’t blame it; blame yourself; admit to yourself that you are not enough of a poet to call forth its riches.”

Oh to be a poet who can draw out the riches of a boring existence. The muse that discovers wonder in the cracks of the brick patio, or beauty in the lines of an aged woman, or the imprint of God in the midst of the kudzu (to quote Steve Kraftchick) is among the most gifted of beings. Most of the rest of us are too busy, too consumed with the crap of our lives, too unaware to see these things.

Thich Nhat Hahn, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, talks regularly about being present in the moment. The illustration that always stays with me is when he says: “When you do the dishes, DO the dishes!” That is, pay attention to the water droplets caressing the plate. Listen for the quiet plinks of glasses tapping together and sing along with their song. Be fully involved in whatever you do, be it the dishes or walking down the street.