I m rereading a book from maybe 15 years ago. I remembered really liking it, remembered really taking the bait on the themes, and when recently there was some random thing that somebody said that made me think of the book, I wanted to see if it still rang true. I was hoping it wasn’t going to be like that time I wanted to see if Conan the Barbarian was as amazing as I thought it was in the 80’s. No disrespect Arnold and the voice of Vader, it seemed far more lame on the re-watch.
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior definitely has more cheese factor than I recall, but the messaging is still powerful to me. The lead character is looking for a mental peace. Something like happiness, but more like contentment. The book talks about how life is struggle, but that when you recognize your role in the happenings you’re freed up to find that peace of acceptance.
I think we all want to be that kind of satisfied. We look for ways to feel good about what we do. We crave a soothed soul ready to embrace whatever comes it’s way. I’d even bet that “Karen” wants to talk to the manager because she believes that flexing that angry muscle of hers will bring some balance to her world.
“Karens” don’t get their sustainable happiness that way. I don’t think any of us find it with all the short cuts that life gives us to try to get in on it. I personally blame microwaves for our need for instant gratification (funny/not funny). I’ve learned that I can make food in mere minutes, I should be able to short cut to happiness. It’s not sold on Prime or found in substance. It’s also nobody’s responsibility but our own. When things click, you and your peeps are content together, but he/she/family/coworkers aren’t the reason for your feelings. There’s danger in thinking that he/she/coworkers/family are. This opens a shitty door of when you’re unhappy blaming others. Cool story bro, but it takes away from our personal accountability. The only thing I really can control is how I respond to things. No way do I want that power taken away by something beyond my sphere of influence.
Does this mean I’ll stop having multiple tantrums a day? Heck no! There’s also a theme in the book that talks about how it’s okay to have all the yuck that comes along with life. “Let it flow, and let it go.” I’m pretty sure the author didn’t intend that to mean that I can rage for a minute about such injustices as “why can’t I muscle up?” but that’s how I intend to modify the information to fit my life. Confirmation bias is not a phase. Also, “progress, not perfection” am I right?
The book is a good read. A nice reminder for me about nurturing spirits and trying to live bigger than the ourselves. +<^y�_
Bifocals and Barbells 