“Ardently do today what must be done. Who knows? Tomorrow, death comes.”
-Bhaddekaratta Sutta
Who knows what will come tomorrow? My business may be forced to shut down with the very real possibility of never opening again. I could be struck down by COVID-19 never to recover. My parents could as well. We simply don’t know which is why it is so foolish to behave as if any of this is guaranteed. As if any of it can be counted on.
I used to worry about shielding my family, my kids from the harsh reality of change but now I see the best gift I can offer is an evenness of mind and calm in the midst of the storm. I cannot make the world a safer place for them but I can show them what it means to meet it with equanimity and dignity. There’s a quote by Epictetus I discovered yesterday and think is tremendously apropos so I’ll end today’s ost here:
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
The second arrow remains in the quiver. Pain but not suffering. Gratitude for the Triple Gem.
By: Jennifer Oja on 03/18/2020
at 3:10 pm
Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!
By: Upāsaka on 03/18/2020
at 4:43 pm