RED BLEEDING HEART

UNDERSTANDING

I (we) have just completed the third session of the ORGANIZE YOUR LIFE class. I feel it went very well. People started seeing areas in their life differently and gaining new insights as they went along. It was so satisfying to see a ‘light’ turn on on faces as they starting UNDERSTANDING some areas of their life that could use some attention.

We talked about the whole concept of UNDERSTANDING something as opposed to GETTING something. To UNDERSTAND something is usually an intellectual process, one in which we can actually learn about how ‘life’, and other animate objects work. It is a process to take one step or lesson at a time to grasp or UNDERSTAND how something works or how it ‘shows up’.

For instance, we can learn how to do something, bake bread, ride a bike, write a letter and we soon can UNDERSTAND the way it can work. When it comes to UNDERSTANDING things like, rules, decisions, comments, attitudes, it may not be so easy. We can, however, make the effort to UNDERSTAND it whether we like it or not.

Now for the concept of ‘GETTING’ a happening at a feeling level. It is somewhat like being punched in the stomach, a lump in our throat, a shock and surprise that shakes us up a bit. These two concepts happen to all of us at one time or another. They actually are to be expected as part of our life! Since we want to be as AWAKE as much as possible, we can be OPEN to how we react to people and situations and learn how to ACCEPT these emotions and accomplishments as they arise.

I feel that both UNDERSTANDING and GETTING are achievements as signs we are PAYING ATTENTION! We are AWARE of what is going on and that is a good thing!

As we go along in our life, (knowing much more than we did before) we can be very proud of ourselves when we do indeed UNDERSTAND and GET something new and clear. That means that anything we face can be handled and achieved more easily. We may not fully UNDERSTAND somethings, but it can lead us to an ACCEPTANCE of the way things are!

Another side of UNDERSTANDING is to realize that our parents and relatives as well as ourselves grew up during the DEPRESSION and that counts for many attitudes about not wanting to let too many things go. The memories we all share about those difficult times can make us UNDERSTAND how parents felt doing their best to keep everything together. I have much more COMPASSION for people and their fears about losing something than before. I remember my dad saving a jar of 3inch long pieces of string, saying,” You never know when you might need something like this.”

Here is the reward, as I see it. We can learn and experience COMPASSION for OURSELVES when we don’t UNDERSTAND or GET something. We can have COMPASSION for others who we know don’t UNDERSTAND or GET something, especially in an environment that is so new and different as the VILLAGE for most of us. I experience this everyday when I meet people or participate with others who are not so AWARE and able to do things differently, meaning the way I would like for them to do.

Everyday is a new

Opportunity to

UNDERSTAND ever so many

Things,

And be grateful!

BLESSINGS