January 04-B, 2023

The conditions and circumstances
of our life 
impose themselves upon us
against our will
and require us to make 
concessions and accommodations
appropriate to the occasion
from birth to death.

The water that falls in my backyard
flows roughly from south to north.
The water that falls in my front yard
flows roughly from north to south.
And my yard is less than 1/4 acre,
with just enough elevation 
for me to be able to watch the water
without swimming in it.
And I have no control in the matter.

Consider all of the things in your life
that affect/effect your life
over which you have no control.

We do not get to choose our choices,
and therein lies the rub.

Being in accord with--
living aligned with--
the Tao,
with the flow of life and being,
means being able to take "NO!" 
for an answer,
and go on about our business
as best we can,
to the extent that we are able,
with an outlook/attitude/manner/style
that remains congenial and good-spirited,
balanced and harmonious,
while we are being tossed about
by "the heaving waves of the wine-dark sea."

Being able to take "NO!" for an answer
means being able to say "YES!" to life
just as it is.

Without judgment,
expectation,
opinion,
grousing and complaining.

"YES!" to life just as it is
is the primary requirement
for a life well-lived,
in accord and aligned with,
the Tao of life and being.

We get plenty of practice.
There is no reason for not 
having this down by now.
And we have no excuse
for not doing better.

Buck up!
Carry on!
No one gets it
like they want it to be
for long,
if at all.

–0–