No Regrets

Posted by: Michael | 04/21/2013

No Regrets

I have, thankfully, held firm to my resolve to be of service to my family and anyone else I happen to encounter and am already reaping many rewards from doing so. This is not to say that it is not hard because it certainly is difficult to let go of one’s attachment to comfort and to doing whatever it is one’s preferences dictate in the moment but I also feel there is a tremendous amount of freedom in practicing this way because it asks me to really look closely at y motivation and intention before doing something.

Whereas before I would escape to the computer to do work and then sped half of the time checking this or that site of interest I am now checking in constantly to see if what I am doing is truly in the service of my family whose time I am impinging upon. When I am totally focused on working because I need to be in order to successfully complete my tasks and thereby support my family and coworkers I feel no guilt and when I’m not I simply need to stop as I am no longer helping anyone (including myself). Similarly, even in situations where I find myself doing something that will garner criticism so long as I know I am doing it with the intention to do no harm and to serve then I am able to be equanimous about the reaction I receive in a way I have always found difficult before.

The greatest reward I have yet encountered with this practice as difficult as it can be is that I can reflect on my behavior and see it as an expression of metta. Often I find myself having to bite my tongue or submit to things that otherwise rankle me in service of my aditthana and although the fire beings white hot, if I give it time, it quickly burns out. I am then left with no regret and can cultivate joy based upon my restraint.

Anyway, I apologize if I’ve rambled or been a little too inarticulate but my daughter is napping and I wanted to get this out before she awoke.

May our actions be expressions of metta and our lives be dedicated to freedom!