CHOOSING TO BE CHEERFUL

There is a course run by a friend of mind called "The art of living cheerfully."
A catchy, happy little name that made me stop and think for about one second and then move on.



Now in retrospect, I think that the idea of having a course based on the idea of "choosing" to be happy is an emotional goldmine.



The Buddhists talk about life being full of "suffering" and pain. I wasn't sure if that meant that these smiley people with the shaved heads were actually Nihilists or just plain fun-suckers.



As I get older I definitely see all the real signs laid out in front of me that suggest that with life comes... the death of loved ones, the loss of loving relationships, the deterioration of the body and the mind, and the slow destruction of our planet. Seems slightly overwhelming sometimes, I concur.



So, those Buddhists seem to have a point. (Apparently they aspire to have a great sense of humour as well, although I have yet to witness this ironic miracle yet in the flesh)


OK, there is some definite suffering to deal with on many levels. (This is true for all people whether they believe in multiple dimensions of reality and the string theory, or whether they believe in The Holy Trinity)


The Buddhists believe that we must get rid of our attachments to material goods, status, and even loved ones. Why? Because everything is transient and will change, you cannot possess energy. If you try...more suffering will be yours for the taking. (Especially on the old death bed)


There is a real need to find a way to be CHEERFUL. There must be some workable philosophy that can put a smile on your faces even when we feel like crap and are totally beaten down. I think the hidden truth here is "you have to choose to be it" even if it not yours organically.


Now, to backtrack in my own timeline for a moment. When I was in my 20's, I didn't really care about being Cheerful. I thought I could just outrun it all. (I was too busy buying shooters and hailing taxi's) I used the gifts that I was lucky enough to have inherited, and I tried to selfishly... meander my way through the nebulous social GULAG that was thrown at me in the world of responsibility.


I knew that it was going to get tougher along some proverbial country rode somewhere in the future, but that was a long way away. Bad idea Rick. Put that energy out there and it will come back to you buddy. Welcome to 2012.


It's not a call for pity, it is more a call for myself to find a way to put a real smile on my face moment by moment, regardless of the atrocious or melodious reality that is coming my way.


When you feel yourself drifting into a zone of negativity and depression. Acknowledge it immediately in your mind. Step back from it. Now change it with a combination of deep breathing, closing your eyes and saying to yourself "cancel" (or something more inspiring)and shifting yourself into a proactive mode and moving beyond that place. It does work, but like anything new, it takes practice and often I fall back into the "wtf" mode of blaming or getting frustrated.



A few ideas that I will throw out there for obtaining CHEERFULNESS are:

Creativity...Take some photos or write in a journal...or simply try Living in the moment (Impossibly hard to master for most)... Meditation (Needs to be practiced every day for at least a half hour and is do able)... Gratitude Lists (We are living our lives of pure bliss compared to those people in west Africa, perhaps we should acknowledge it)... Give to others without ulterior motives attached and you will receive pure joy in return. (Make a plan to give)


Or....Integrate some of the above, live a life that inspires others, and once and a while decide that you do deserve to have that chocolate cake, that weekend at the spa, or that sexual experience you have been dreaming about.


I think that "being cheerful" is a choice. A beautiful choice (or an aggravating one, depending on your sour point of view ) It takes a certain amount of work to be Cheerful....Seems strange but from what I understand....it pays huge dividends for your life, your health and for all those that are fortunate enough to have some blissful contact with you. Or...



There is always the Robert De Niro point of view that says...."Life is short and tough.... learn to be happy, or deal with the consequences."



Rick

BOBCATS AND BANQUETS

I came up with that title and it means absolutely nothing....Moving on...


I am gearing up to participate in a course that is primarily focused on the creative process and photography.


Through the artists involved in this project there is a certain artistic synthesis that can't help but wearing off on me. It won't be evident in this forum, but will probably turn up in areas that cannot be dissected directly by my self critical eyes.


So...I am pleased. I have been led to some very interesting blogs as well. Here are a couple:


www.sundaricarmody.com
www.ilkasattic.com
www.designsponge.com
www.theselby.com



It occurred to me today as I was taking the time to look at the word "gossamer"...
I don't write this BLOG much these days...Why is that?

Definition of GOSSAMER


1: a film of cobwebs floating in air in calm clear weather

2: something light, delicate, or insubstantial

— gos·sa·mery adjective
See gossamer defined for English-language learners »
See gossamer defined for kids »

Examples of GOSSAMER

a butterfly's wings of gossamer



I think that although writing a Blog is a cathartic modern phenomenon of some sorts. It can be something that might be self interpreted as being on the needy side.


Unless you are selling a service or a book or a film.. writing each day on line and sharing your personal observances of the world around you is surely slightly pedantic and a public example of being self absorbed. (Isn't it?)


Is this scribbled masturbation taking the place of my real friendships, hugs and good old fashioned storytelling around the campfire? Definitely... Although I haven't seen a campfire in 2 years.


I know that as a person that spends a fair amount of time trying to recognize any and all personal acts that might be dictated by my ego, it doesn't always feel right to just pontificate about my toenails and the latest lascivious gossamer that just floats my way.


When I am living with confidence, honesty, and have a certain purity and creative direction, I should not need to sell it as a bill of goods to anybody that might stumble upon it out of boredom.


On the other hand, it is nice to have a "Sangha" to be able to reflect on life's impermanence with, and to savour the emotional wins with.



Truly, I do enjoy the process of writing, I am just not sure that for me, there is any need to put it out there right now. It looks like I am healthy enough to be around for a couple more decades...one day at a time, so why document anything.


There might be some pearls of wisdom, but they might just as well be shared by my lips rather than through Google.



The last thing that is on my mind today apart from the chapter I just read that blew me away from the book "Thundering Silence" (Sutra on knowing the better way to catch a snake )Literally, the whole chapter was making a strong case detailing how the "self" really does not exist. Deep but surprisingly positive.


Is...


The TREE OF LIFE by Terrence Malik. Out now on DVD with Penn and Pitt.


This film is just simply aesthetically gorgeous and for lack of a better word..an audacious piece of work. It struck me today that there has never been a movie that has been shot like this before except maybe "enter the void"....Sublime.


It is filmed as if you the viewer are on the ground watching and moving with the characters from scene to scene. Metaphysically cerebral moments and fraternal love visited and evaluated in a visually poetic way saturated with music from the gods...I don't know...it's life affirming stuff.


It takes a little time to invest in the slow moving shots and cuts to other slow moving shots, but far after the movie is over, I can't help but going back to it, and wondering about the meaning behind some of the scenes. It's like 2001 meets On Golden Pond. Lol. Maybe not. Check it out.



I feel better now...This blog thing may have a purpose that even I don't quite get yet. Perhaps it has to enter me "through another opening" haha Enjoy the balance.



Rick

A SUFI POEM

This really struck me when I heard it recited at a gathering in New York for an event called "Peace Thru People"



"In the bosom of the sacred edifice of humanity,

lies the secret of spiritual architecture,

The Keystone of Love



Noble Soul, sovereign of mystic union,

Always Longing for Allah most high,

Bring ourselves to the one reality, the faculties captivated by love




Intimate allies and the closest friendship and most elevated ideals,


Above the noble pillars of religion,


Beyond formulas and faith, legends and allegories,



Shines The Sheaf...



Example and guide for souls.



The pinnacle of knowledge and refinement.


The subtle model of the mystic way.



Essentializing human activity,

Spiritualizing all phenomena,



And making the HUMAN HEART FRAGRANT WITH THE LITANIES OF BREATH.





It was said by the Sufi Master that this poem is about, the Heart, the Guide, the Master.




My personal interpretation means little, but is that these words reflect the need to shed all the baggage that we accumulate on the outside of our souls in this life. The extensions and ego that block us from our true selves and from the real truth about the unlimited phenomenon of our pure energy, and pure potentiality.



How to access these states minute by minute without years of asceticism and discipline, I am not nearly sure what the simple method to employ is.



Rare and beautiful words though.





RL

SHE DANCES IN THE MORNING

I have a very close person in my life who is recovering from a fairly serious surgery.



This woman is amazing in her daily outlook on life. She wakes up in the morning, with a big smile on her face and her attitude emanates pure joy. (I actually told her that she might need to tone this down, for grinchly people like myself in the morning, how selfish is that)


She is happy to be alive and healing, and she is ready to make a difference. She prefers not to take any pain killers for what is obviously a very painful situation.


She tries to stretch her time as far as it will go, always staying alert and willing to think about creative ventures and positive ideas for the future.


She talks constantly about how she can help some of her friends that are suffering in various ways in their lives.



This woman is selfless to a flaw sometimes. Sometimes I think that she should concentrate a little more on making herself feel good.


She inspires me to be a stronger and a more giving man. Very often I feel that despite my various spiritual technologies that I employ to keep me centered and egoless, there is still a long road to travel. I need to know that the work is never done.


I choose to think of this woman as a wonderful mirror that lets me know that its ok to hurt, as long as you do something with it......Help others, hug a duck, make a difference. Write a book about your shortcomings, so others can benefit. Something.



I am grateful on many levels for this woman's powerful and prophetic prescience in my life. "Everything happens for a reason" she always says....I used to just brush that statement off as a parable of the times. However, I really am starting to believe that meeting her, was certainly no accident.



It was a very bright moment in the light, that was obviously meant to be.





RL

THE DOCTRINE OF HAPPINESS

"Too often we confuse temporary pleasure with enduring happiness because the trappings of the physical world are highly seductive and potent When we are able to distinguish between the two, we will find true happiness. Pleasure is usually associated with egocentric desires, whereas happiness is linked to the longing of the soul.


By and large, our desires emerge from the selfish side of our nature. What we covet is not necessarily what will bring us lasting fulfillment. Happiness eludes us when we chase after what we want, as opposed to what we need. Our desires and cravings generally bring misfortune and turmoil after the initial pleasures and immediate gratifications have worn off.


Be careful what you wish for."


Amen to this. I am finding now that real gratification comes in the form of simple connection to the people you really care about, and the ability to be open to the strangers that wonder into your world.


There is alot of happiness that manifests in the ability to accept and embrace the perfection in simplicity.


RL

IN THE DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES

At a younger point in my life......I was lucky enough to meet a family that had fantastic friends, salads, wines and just marvelous times.

I just loved them all like a bertollucci film.....


They got older and had wonderful families of their own....I am still in awe of the whole process and the diverse nature of some of the choices made.......but.....I was there and I was welcomed........it was a real blessing........


Names are being avoided, but one name I don't want to avoid is my friend Chef Cory.
Worked his way through many ventures, took many courses, and is in my opinion, one of the premier chefs in the country.


Love his prowess and tenacity and just.......him.



RL

DONT MESS WITH LIZ

Softly you whisper and you are so sincere.............



NOW I COME TO WITH OPEN ARMS............who would know the resonation of these silly 80s words......


I have a friend Liz who is a cancer survivor and embodies strength.....

Her dog recently had to be injected up her bum with Ketamine to help her infection.

As she was hallucinating with such strength during the worst Thunder Storm in Ontario history.



I started worrying about my possessions etc etc etc etc etc.



People can be amazing...............Julie



Liz is doing a job that criss crosses saudi and Dubai and London and it is all hers, as she takes care of her family and her true family.................a beagle............


My worries can be put on hold.


RL