Originally posted on Facebook HERE
The last day looking through this window. We get new windows on Thursday. It’s been a great window. I wonder what this window has seen and been through in it’s life. The house has had three owners. The living room has been remodeled at least once by us. And now, after years of service it will be rather unceremoniously tossed in favor of a new one. Not sure why, but that makes me a little sad. I loved looking out this window. As much as I’ll miss it, I’m sure we’ll love the new window as well, and life will move on. That window had it’s place and time in history, did a fantastic job, and it’s time will soon be over. What a great way to exist. Be the best you can be, every day, and when it’s all said and done, you’ll have no regrets. But I have a tendency towards competing. I think as long as I can remember, I’ve been driven to be the best in anything I do. Maybe that’s just a part of growing up in the USA, or the era, I don’t know. German work ethic. I do know that in order to compete, you have to compare. So – whether it’s production at work, bass playing, writing, physical fitness, sports, income… I have an inner drive that is never satisfied. Because even if you hit a goal, or win an award, the inner drive immediately resets itself higher. Theodore Roosevelt said, “Comparison is the thief of joy”. I am extremely grateful for everything I have in life. I’ve done some amazing things, I’ve been able to make a living doing things I love doing, we have a great family, we’re healthy, we love where we live… so much to be thankful for. And yet I still catch myself, pretty much daily getting pissed off because I’m not number one, I’m not as far along, I’m not in as good of shape, or any number of other things that rob my present moments of the happiness I could have if I just realized that this window, which I’ve loved looking through for years, can teach me a lot regarding life if I just focus on being the best person I can be and stop looking outside myself for validation. It’s the fast mind that robs us of present moment awareness by feeling that no matter what we do, it’s not good enough. It’s why the last two years spent in Florida writing books was so good for me – step away from the pandemonium caused by fast mind competing and comparison, and get centered around the slow mind, the source, where God resides, and just do the next right thing. There is joy in simplicity. For me, I have to consciously be aware of this and make decisions based on doing what I think is right, even if sometimes it won’t win me an award. That competitive nature can breed pandemonium, because part of the drive that goes along with it is a mindset that says, “I can do everything”, then tries to go out and prove it. Probably better to acknowledge the thought “I can do everything”, then follow up with, “but I choose to only do the things that make me a better person”, or those things that bring joy to myself and others. Easier said than done, but I’m working on it. In order to make any change in life, being aware of the issue that needs to be addressed is paramount. I’ve been aware of this one for a while now. Every time I look out the new window, I’ll think of the lessons to be learned here. Simplify. Savor every moment. Be the best you you can be.
