Adjusting to What Is Can Be Satisfying

Better one good thing that is, 

rather than two things that were, 

or three things that might never come to pass.     Irish Proverb

I saw this Irish proverb this morning I want to share with my readers. Wow…its simplicity spoke to me! “Better one good thing that is…”. 

Since this virus-crisis has been circling I’ve worked diligently to reign in time/space from what I once had, to limits. I’m living with what works around an ever-looming virus.

I know present time is what I make choices about. I learned years ago holidays and events on a calendar aren’t something I need to adjust my life around. When my children became adults I realized I would see them when I see them. If plans are made and evaporate, then we all adjust and make what we can of the time. 

What I mean when I said holidays and events aren’t important is - I think they are reminders on the calendar of time together and sharing, but not as important as keeping things real for everyone. No guilting. It’s not a pleasant behavior. Just to adhere to a holiday date?  I think sometimes holidays are more reminders of what was than what is now.

I’m happy with it being about what works, not what we work around to make sure it works (like holidays) or slots on a calendar. Losing a spouse helped cement the lesson for me about what “Might come to pass” might not come. I have the present. I love to look forward to things, but I don’t want the anticipation of something to be more important than living now.

I do like to plan ahead and if the future doesn’t happen maybe I’ll have the present. I had plans in place to be in Germany right now. I wanted to be in the audience on opening night to see my son perform in an opera. It didn’t work. What works now is taking each day and adjusting to “What is” like he is doing at the same time.

I don’t want to be misunderstood. Complacency isn’t what I’m referring to, it’s acceptance. Accepting what is. It gets me to the place where I can still take what I have and be satisfied. The longer I’m in that place the more I realize I don’t need a lot to be happy. I’ve had months of inner excitement about my trip to see Holden. That cannot be taken away even if the trip isn’t going to happen. I'm grateful we have the technology to keep in touch.

Better one good thing that is, 

rather than two things that were, 

or three things that might never come to pass.     Irish Proverb