Life Lesson #2

Scene: Zusha, 5 years old, very unhappy … dialogue with father:

Ari: What’s wrong?

Zusha: You know!

Ari: I really don’t.

Zusha: Yes, you do!

Ari: Exhaling loudly. Zusha, what is Life Lesson #2?

Zusha: appreciate everything that you have – there, ok?

Ari: Did you appreciate waking up this morning?

Zusha: mumblemumblemumble

Ari: Sorry, I didn’t catch that.

Zusha: I’m grateful that I woke up – there, ok?

Ari: Do you have a dad that loves you?

Zusha: exasperated sigh …. yeeeesssssss

Ari: Do you appreciate that?

Zusha: I’m grateful that I have you and that you love me.

Ari continues on regarding: fingers, hands, eyes, to which Zusha responds, beginning to soften now.

Ari: Do you want to tell me what’s bothering you now?

Zusha: Mom said Avi’s mom messaged her and said Avi is sick so he’s not going to school today, and he was meant to come to me after school to play, and now he’s not.

And there you have it. Without Our Permission, people change, things don’t happen the way we want, expectations are not met. We cathect on all that’s wrong in the world, get stuck, whine, complain, bitch and moan. I don’t know about you, but over the years, this became a true art form. Leading nowhere. But it felt good. (Although it’s boring when other people do it.)

But, hey … Life Lesson #2 … appreciate everything … especially the 7 Wonders of the World – seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching, laughing, loving. THEN see what possibilities open up that are occluded when we are not appreciating everything.