October 18, 2024 – A

We live in the tension
between "Yes" and "No"--
with the contingency 
of having to pay the price
of riding the ride,
of doing what we want,
without doing what we don't want
in order to do it.

The benefits we enjoy
come with a cost to enjoying them.
And we want the joy
without the cost.

And coming to terms with the costs
of life's benefits
is called "growing up."

We all grow up against our will.
And that is the kink in the hose.

And so it is said,
"Truth is found between the hands."
"On the one hand this,
and on the other hand that,
and when do we give up that
in order to have this?"

Which is also called,
"Paying the price of being alive."

Making our peace with the price
that has to be paid
for living the life we want/need/have to live
is on-going, 
never-ending.

Being fine with that
is having it made.

This is also called
"Getting up and doing 
what has to be done
regardless of the cost involved."

Understanding the price to be paid
to do what is called for
and being glad to pay it
is all it takes to be happy
to be here, now,
wherever and whenever we are.

If we don't have what it takes
to do what is called for,
or don't want to pay it, 
we have to pay the price
of not paying the price
and that is how the great majority
of living beings live out their lives.

No?