Adulting Sucks!

When my kids were young and encountered new learning, they were curious, excited and intrigued.  On the other hand, when I learn something new about the adult world (like how I should have gotten travel insurance - ugggg), I am definitely not feeling childlike wonder.  My reaction is more attuned to “adulting sucks!”   

Nowadays, the word suffering is connected to pain, misery and even agony. But the ancients weren’t nearly as dramatic. Sure they understood that big life changes cause suffering, but they also categorized small change (such as adulting information overload) as suffering.  Think about it! Small changes cause our imagination to go into overdrive.  “If I didn’t know this, imagine all the other things I must be missing.” OR “if I can’t handle this, imagine all the other things I’m not going to be able to handle.”  Then our brain gets pissy (or other reactions such as avoidance, paralysis or deflection).  Yep, definitely suffering.

Small change suffering is a path that we repeat a million times in our lifetime.   And this is where meditation steps in.  During meditation, you get to see yourself and your reaction, and acknowledge it without judgment. It’s not for the purpose of solving it. It’s just to give us a little wiggle room so we can remind our logical mind that small change suffering is real. No need to be embarrassed about your reaction.  No need to step into that lonely feeling of “why me?” It’s natural and normal. 

We can even take it a step farther and bring this new information into our lives a little deeper.  Like, maybe next time my teenager reacts all sarcastic and angsty, I can give her a little more understanding and space.  I’ve been there.  

Information overload is real, and like other types of suffering, it’s a sucky path that we will travel a million times.  But there is also a way toward calm.  And every time we walk this path of suffering to peace, we become a little more understanding of ourselves and our loved ones.  Actually, that seems like a path worthy of repeating.

Meditation

Finding Present Meditation:

Imagine taking a walk on a path. Maybe your path is barefoot on a sandy beach, or maybe on a shaded trail with the breeze gently rustling the trees. Just breathe and enjoy the path.

When you feel refreshed, open your eyes and end here.  Or, begin the mindfulness meditation.

Mindfulness Meditation:  

As you imagine walking and enjoying the path, think back to that information overload moment. Don’t think about what happened in words. Just recall how your body felt. Think back with curiosity. Recall where you felt it. Recall what it felt like, and just notice it. When you are done, go back to imagining the path, refreshing yourself with your breath.

Now think back to the information overload moment again. Recall how you reacted in your brain. Don’t think about the words that you said. Just recall how your brain felt. Think back with curiosity. Recall the emotion you felt in your brain and just notice it. When you are done, go back to imagining the path, refreshing yourself with your breath.

Now imagine yourself walking past other small change sufferings that have happened in your life. Don’t think about them in words. Just notice a that on your path, surrounded by nature, is a whole lifetime of small moment sufferings. Don’t be surprised if other faceless humans join you, because we all walk this same path of natural sufferings and peace.

Closing Routine:  When you are refreshed and ready, rub fingers together and take three cleansing breaths.  Or use any closing routine that works for you.