Life: a series of spontaneous changes

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them — that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” — Lao Tzu

I have noticed how suffering occurs when we desire life to be perfect. Somehow, when we expect life to go according to our thoughts and it doesn’t, sorrow ensues. We become resistant.

However, in Buddhism one of the Four Noble Truths is that pain exists, but suffering is optional. We need to work with human nature instead of trying to fight against it as Suffering = Pain x Resistance. The more we resist negative emotions, the more we will suffer and the only option left then is to accept them with every ounce of courage.

It is also interesting to think about how fleeting good experiences should make you less concerned about when they will end, and more grateful of them while they last. Life’s pleasant times must be embraced with wide arms, and that is why I celebrate every time I get a good score on a test, have a meaningful conversation with someone important, make time for my hobbies like growing my flower garden, (clear out my mailbox!), in other words: all my little victories.

Next, because everything is temporary, even horrible situations and feelings are. Remembering that everything is temporary allows me to experience uncomfortable emotions without allowing them to overwhelm me. This is because I know I won’t be feeling this way forever. Just as the good times cannot last forever, neither can the bad.

It is frustrating because we are like a tiny boat being tossed around in a storm at sea. However, the most we can do is hang on and wait for it to pass, so we can emerge unscathed. I see life as a box of endless muddles, but the key is to not get too attached but learn to go with the natural flow.

⁃ SaaniaSparkle 🧚🏻‍♀️