lighten up

I don't feel any closer to figuring out how to build in an appropriate buffer zone between me and the edge of sanity, but I was reminded today of a lesson I learned long ago. In the intense and soul-wrenching search for a meaningful path of peace through the chaos of life, it's very important to not take oneself too seriously. The motto, Seek Truth got me much of the way through the throes of depression, but I wouldn't have made it all the way out of the pit in any meaningful way without adding a second motto: Lighten up.

I've had the privilege of hanging out quite a bit with a delightful almost-six year old over the last couple of days. The delightfulness of this small human being is shattered from time to time with what is usually referred to as "melt-downs"-- moments when she rails against the world as only a child can, with a gusto that seems to summon the angst (and volume) of a thousand wronged opera stars in the throes of badly-acted death scenes. It's big, dramatic, heartfelt, and hard to watch. It's particularly hard to watch because all you really want to say is, "Chill, kid. This is really not that big a deal." But to the child in the maelstrom of a bona fide melt-down,it IS that big a deal. Never mind that it's all about a banana served in pieces instead of served whole, or the difference between brushing teeth with the Dora toothbrush instead of the Shrek toothbrush. Clearly, taking things too seriously can really take a toll-- on yourself and on others.

So, I'm going to try to embrace "lighten up" more diligently in the coming days. I think it might be important for The Greening.

P.S. In the interest of lightening up, please take a moment to visit www.wierdconverter.com, if only to discover just how much Jennifer Aniston weighs in spider monkeys instead of pounds. I know that's more about not taking Jennifer Aniston seriously than it is about not taking yourself too seriously, but do it anyway.