#20 The Full Moon
Retirement gives a person the opportunity to remember that the Full Moon isn’t more or less full at all, it is simply the position that the Moon has with the Earth and how the Earth is in position with the Sun, etc. etc.
The Moon has no choice as to how it will appear in its various, but, predictable, positions with the Earth. The Earth, also, has no choice. The Sun, although it seems to be in charge, actually has no power to be any different than it is. All are in fixed positions in the galaxy and, although each of them will one day be gone, they will continue to be quite predictable.
If the moon had a mind, would it want to move out of the galaxy? Would it be jealous of the Moons of Saturn? Would it want to be made out of cheese?
Would the Earth, using its imagination (if it only had a brain), want to spin in the opposite direction, or, not spin, at all?
And, if the Sun had a mind of its own, well, let’s not even talk about that, okay?
The Earth doesn’t rule over the Moon, nor, does the Sun rule over the Earth. They simply exist together in the ordered-chaos of the universe.
Maybe there is something to be said about the insanity clause: Doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. Our Solar System has been doing it for a long, long time, and, it seems to be perfectly content with the situation.
If our minds could just stay in alignment with “the way it is,” and, “the way it will always be,” perhaps, we would not be so discontent with the routine of life.
Perhaps.
Sure, there is a lot to be said for the power of the mind and the things that we can accomplish with our minds. On the other hand, there is a lot to be said to, as the Beatles song says, “Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream.”
I have discovered that, although my retirement gives me the opportunity to “float down stream,” it is not a philosophy of lifestyle reserved for the retiree. I should have learned it a long time ago…, but, my mind was in the way.
That is why God was so perturbed when the children of Israel wanted to be like other people; to have a king to rule over them. “I have it all planned out for you,” He said. “But, if you want to put your trust in man, go right ahead.”
As if man could stomp his foot on the ground and things would change. Oh, things will change alright, but, this beautiful mind of ours has unrealistic expectations of the results of all the foot-stomping.
Insanity is not doing the same thing over and over again, it is doing the same thing over and over again, but, expecting different results.
So, once again, I offer un-asked-for advice: Relax and let each day finds its own way. The best you can do, on any given day, is to be the Sun of your personal Solar System where you shine upon the inhabitants within your circle of influence. And, my dear friend, that is enough.
E.
ps – Sure, retirement still requires me to paddle once in awhile, as I float down stream, but, I only do so to keep from getting my canoe stuck in front of my computer.
Later……
Do you ever feel like you owe the world an explanation for your actions? And, by ‘the world’ I mean, people. Not from guilt or a sensed need to explain why you did or did not do a particular thing; just to set the record straight. You know, in case someone might get the wrong impression.
eugbooks (sounds like HUGE Books, right?) 