The Only Constant In Life Is Change
This wild idea popped up in the late 20th century, and for the most part, it has been attributed to Heraclitus. In reality, I think we took the idea and ran with it as a way to help folks step outside this horrible notion of a "human condition."
What is the "human condition"? It is this ridiculous idea that suffering and lack are just a part of life. When in reality, there is nothing lacking -- we just have not gotten our acts together. We are a group -- this notion of every human for themselves is absurd. We are in the 21st century. It is time to change and grow together.
This Is How My Zeph Morning Went...
As Zeph (2 years and 2 months old) and I got ready for our day, I reminded him that I was picking him up at 2 pm today. I asked him to tell me why -- Art Center. Yep, he remembered our conversation from yesterday. Good kid. I had promised him that we would go to see the art today.
On the drive to school, Zeph tells me about the water, trucks, and airplanes that he sees. When I drop him off, he is sad because time still does not quite make sense to him. Zeph believes that we should be at the art center. His teacher says no worries, she has this. I kiss him and leave to start my day.
Then My Morning Really Starts Flowing...
As a person that practices MINDFULNESS, I take my time to understand how most things present in front of me. To see the change or the flow and do what I can to make the world a better place. As I walked back to the car, I noticed his school's parking lot had quite a bit of trash in it.
I turned my butt around, and went in to get gloves and a trash bag. For the next 20 minutes, I picked up broken spoons, cigarette butts, and other assorted trash from the parking lot. A shiny dime appeared and I smiled, while shoving it in my pocket. A pieces of my past attempted to rear their ugly heads, but I said no, thank you and went to throw the trash in the dumpster.
My next stop was the grocery store. I had purchased 2 items that were just plain yucky to my current tastes buds that had been made in the store. On the screen there was an advertisement for a game called Loose Change. And again, I smiled as a purchased a ticket because there was a loose dime that I had picked up.
Unceremoniously, I crammed the lotto ticket and the refund of $10 bucks into my wallet. I went to get some doughnuts (damn right -- I am in pain and craving junk food). And headed to express checkout.
A mom and her three kids were in front of me. I smiled and nodded. She said hello. Her sons were arguing over a coin they had found in the parking lot. She suggested that they donate it -- there was a Smiles Organization change box, at the register. Neither one agreed to it.
I looked at the oldest, and spoke up, "Dude, I will tell you something neat. I found a coin this morning too. If we do it together, I will put my coin in." And voila! No more arguing boys. The mom told the oldest one thank you, while winking at me. Not only has the mom gained a smidge of peace, but we both donated to a great organization.
This Was The Morning That Would Not Stop...
I pull into my apartment complex, and the gardening dudes are here. They have a tarp which was really confusing. I have never seen them with a tarp. And my mind begins to wander on what they could be using the tarp for.
One of the little old ladies (that I like) is pitching a fit about something. I do my best to block it out, but as I go around them, I noticed the mean old prickly bushes (that I feel were a security issue) are no longer in front of my neighbors window. I tell the little old lady to complain to the office, but that remember change is a constant.
Her next words remind me of why I left the narcissistic abuser behind. "You all just want us old folks dead." Face palm -- I simply say "no" and keep moving. She yelled something back, but I have trained myself to no longer engage ignorance. The gardeners tell me that they are removing all the prickly ones on the property.
I like the pricklies being gone.
And The Afternoon Comes...
I embrace change. To me change has brought me to Iowa and to a place that I can finally relax. There is enough culture to feel challenged, but not so much traffic that I feel like I can't move.
When I began writing this, I remembered the Loose Change lotto ticket that I bought this morning. I already went to my purse to get it and have been glancing at it for the past 30 minutes, as I type. Why? Because I won $20 bucks and I am going to treat Zeph to an Icee and an art thingied at the art center's gift shop.
And yes, I was planning on writing about change -- way before this day happened. And yes, the game really is called Loose Change.
https://www.ialottery.com/Pages/Games-InstaPlay/IP144LooseChangeProgressive.aspx