“We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart.” ―
I stumbled upon this quote this weekend and have been pondering it ever since. It rings true for me as this new month starts… life is not “passing the test” or overcoming the problem. There is no point when it suddenly all becomes easier, no apex moment to achieve with a reward of “down hill” ease. No, new tests/challenges keep popping up and there is always a new problem…always. Yet despite all of that, Pema’s wisdom in the continuity of things coming together and falling apart is somehow comforting.
Good things to keep in mind as my household approaches one year of Safer at Home… yes, we started in early February 2020. A year of being distant, masking up, and thinking about “is this trip absolutely necessary.” A habit now it seems, yet this weekend our discussions included frustration, disappointment, and longing for life before COVID.
The science reports on wearing two masks seems to echo Pema… things don’t really get solved.
But!! I had an interesting discussion about the efficacy of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this weekend, and while it might not score as high as the currently available vaccines, it does boast a very impressive stat… preventing hospitalizations and deaths! More Pema echo’s….they come together.
The reminder for me this morning is that there is no “magic button” but rather a determination to keep on going and hope there is more coming together and less falling apart. (Or if they do fall apart, may they be easily fixed!)
Finally, in these socially distant times there was some most excellent coming together… a small group of fiber enthusiasts got together Saturday afternoon via the wonder of the internet and we spent time spinning, and talking, and laughing, and sharing. We have plans to meet twice a month… and if you’d like to join us, you would absolutely be welcome!
Happy Monday, everyone! See you all back here for some unraveling on Wednesday!
I will always be learning, but meditation is teaching me that things do indeed come together, fall apart, and I don’t have to react (or over-react!) to every single thing. I also had a discussion about the J&J vaccine, and if keeps me from being hospitalized and/or dying, I will certainly take that result. (And I’m double masking when I go to the grocery store – my one big outing!)
I like that quote – reminds me of the ebb and flow of water…always a constant…always things come together and fall apart. That’s life! We are finally registered in our county for a vaccine. Today’s snow event has prompted me to make bread. As soon as Fletch is finished making his breakfast I will get started!
Yes, my NY Times newsletter shared this news: “Here’s the key fact: All five vaccines with public results have eliminated Covid-19 deaths. They have also drastically reduced hospitalizations.” Encouraging news!
My inspiration quote today says, “Love the life you live.” I take it to mean look for the good where you are now.
Have a good week!
zoom gatherings are so special more so now than ever. I think all the vaccine rollouts hold hope and promise, now the race is on to get people vaccinated!
I’ll take any vaccine that’s safe and effective at this point! The roll out in MA has been horribly mismanaged, which is a shame since our governor had been doing so well up until now. Dale is signed up now due to his job but we don’t know when he will actually got the shot. On the plus side, my 94 year old father-in-law gets his second does on Wednesday!
Saturday was such fun! I’m looking forward to continuing to meet up — it’s so nice to hang out with friends instead of being on work Zooms for a change!
I am definitely in favor of any vaccine I can get, though it’ll be quite a while before I am eligible. Some protection is better than none, and I get my flu shot every year knowing that it’s not a magic shot to keep me from getting the flu but rather something I do to increase my chances of not getting sick or too sick.
We have a lot of vaccine-talk here in our house. (It’s what happens when you’re married to a pharmaceutical scientist). It looks like ALL the vaccines are excellent vaccines — and taken together, will help stop the spread of Covid and keep folks out of the hospitals. And that’s a very good thing!
I was just ‘writing to Pema’ in my journal this morning, as I wrapped up When Things Fall Apart…asking her to please help me just be IN it, be WITH it, not try to solve/change anything. And I kind of want her to sit here with my hormonal kids (and hormonal me, to be sure) and coach me along. Because I desperately DO want to change the moods sometimes…maybe often…and so desperately need to come up for air sometimes. Some days I’m up for the work and other days I’m simply terrible at it. (Maybe that’s what she means?) xo
Great quote Kat. I have been double masking for any necessary outings. And wonder of wonders, I’ve been masking as the article suggests with a surgical mask under a double layer cloth mask. I think there are going to be ups and downs to this vaccine roll out. There is an ebb and flow to life and its challenges that is for sure. The quote you shared is timely.