Learning from CafeMom...and Eileen Kimble

By José Blanco
Serenity Of Knowing - Journals - CafeMom

This week the theme of awareness, that of being aware of what is happening when it is happening (not two minutes later or two hours or two days, as is usual for me when I live a conflicting situation), has been present. It has come up in my latest yoga class, in my reading, in the mail, everywhere, so when these 'happenings happen', I know - by now - that there is a lesson coming up. A lesson showing itself up to be 'seen'.

Well, several years ago, this writer shared a piece titled "Serenity of Knowing", which I in turn shared with my children, with the subject line of "I think it is important, love you!".
Notice the "I think" part. Is that doubt? Is that "head is surer and safer than heart"? Is that "sounds good, I don't get it but let me share it with you just in case it is important"?, given my conscious and acknowledged responsible parental role (and only God knows what other life roles are involved...). What is - was - that 'I think' all about?

Who knows!

Well anyway, this writer, Eileen Kimble, who frequently sends out short pieces that are really attention gatherers, stoppers, whoa's!, pieces with "light" coming at you from who knows where when you read them (btw, Thank you EK!), had sent this e-mail, and yesterday as I was cleaning up one of the piles of paper on a shelf, there it was: that old email dated Sunday, August 7, 2005, 8:41 AM.

Serenity of Knowing
Acceptance

The title is intriguing, and the mix of 'knowing and acceptance', dowsed with 'serenity', well, more intriguing...

So here is the first of three paragraphs in the piece...yes, one at a time, so as to 'take it easy', so as to 'munch' it, so as to...'ingest and digest':

"The world is a palette of varied beauty with subtle and not-so-subtle differences in brilliance and hue. But, like all we perceive subjectively, many things can fail to meet our expectations. People don't behave as we'd wish them to, situations turn out differently than we'd imagined, and the end result is often unhappiness. The remedy is acceptance - an open-minded, understanding perception that brings the serenity of knowing every individual, situation, or difficulty is unique and valuable in some way. It is a mode of respect for differences, of seeing beyond faults or disappointments and reaching contentment.

...seeing beyond faults and disappointments...whoa! That is hard!...And I thought my perception and judgement were...'objective' You mean to tell me that they are NOT? But that was my 'getting even piece'. I knew they were 'wrong', and that I was 'right', and that someway, somehow in the 'absolute reality' imaginary field, I was 'doing the right thing', and thus, would be prized - someway, somehow - for it. In heaven, maybe?, as the lessons from youth came about: "Don't worry, God will reward you for that in heaven". That's sweet and OK but, do I have to keep accumulating all that s...tuff'? All the way to heaven? Do I have to wait all that time? Better yet, IF I am on the right and on the right path, why don't I feel good, or feel good about it?

Pssst!, btw, did you have those words too?

No wonder! In a sense I have a patched - up record when it comes to "respect for differences".
Therefore, the consequences of that attitude over a lifetime have weighed heavily in on me...
Therefore, can I 'see' the link to serenity - or lack of it?...

So, "welcome! Welcome, "...palette of varied beauty whether with subtle or not-so-subtle differences in brilliance and hue!" Where have you been???

"Welcome!"

PS: the link above takes to a web page that contained the entire piece. It is not the same source of my e-mail back in '05...that I know of. Anyway, ...maybe they are friends, or maybe the same and one person, or..."welcome, thanks!"


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