Refocus on what matters

A great deal of life is spent in pettiness. It's not that the little things don't matter. It's that when we attach to the little things, in such a way that we block out the light, life is the poorer. This is particularly so when we focus on that which we can't change. And there is much in life we can't change! Often it is those very things that become the subject of our worries, frustrations, anger and disillusionment. One of the great secrets of a fulfilled and happy life is to know how to let go. Be in charge of those things you can change. Let the rest go by. I wish I had learned this many years ago. It would have saved so much energy wasted on the futile. (I wish I lived it more consistently now.)
Besides internal disturbance, focus on the things we can't do anything about prevents our own enlightenment. When we say, "The sun's not out today," we really mean that a cloud has hidden the precious rays of the sun from us. Our enlightenment is always there, just as the sun is always there. Our preoccupation with the petty forms the cloud.

Here's a little something from the philospher Epictetus in the lovely little piece the Enchiridion:

Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in one word, whatever are not our own actions. 
The things in our control are by nature free, unrestrained, unhindered; but those not in our control are weak, slavish, restrained, belonging to others. Remember, then, that if you suppose that things which are slavish by nature are also free, and that what belongs to others is your own, then you will be hindered. You will lament, you will be disturbed, and you will find fault both with gods and men. But if you suppose that only to be your own which is your own, and what belongs to others such as it really is, then no one will ever compel you or restrain you. Further, you will find fault with no one or accuse no one. You will do nothing against your will. No one will hurt you, you will have no enemies, and you not be harmed.

It interests me that Epictetus has "the body" as one of those things outside our control. This is only partly true. For Epictetus, as for many in the western tradition, there is too firm a dualism between body and mind—the body is seen and experienced as something other, something alien. Much that happens to and in our bodies is truly beyond our control. Yet, a more helpful practice brings body, mind and spirit into holistic balance. But, that is for another day, another blog.

I find myself often having to refocus on what matters. Epictetus is a helpful friend.

+Ab. Andy