This is a tenet of Stoicism that I read in a book by Ryan Holiday; something to aspire to, facing life with such peace and equanimity.
As I work to bring my 93-year-old father back home to Toronto to live, I see that he’s got this down. He’s currently in hospital in Quebec City where he lives. Each time I call, he’s cheerful and upbeat. I know he hates being in hospital, he hates not being able to do for himself, and yet, he’s peaceful.
How did I not realize this about him until now? Is this where I get it from?
When we finally got the word to come bring him home, my two brothers and I decided to make the 8+hour drive there and back in one shot. We left at 3:30 am, arrived at the hospital at noon, got out of the hospital at 1 pm, then stopped by his girlfriend’s home to pick up his belongings. We were on the road by 2 pm, finally arriving home at 1 am after a blinding snowstorm and several stops for food and bathroom breaks.
So almost 24 hours later, we were all in surprisingly good spirits. It runs in the family I guess. Thanks Dad!
Try this ONE thing
Could you use a little unfailing cheerfulness for whatever you’re facing? Start small and see if you can love whatever is happening.
Want to experience coaching? I like to start with a deep, get-to-know-you conversation to see if we are right for each other. Sometimes we talk for one or two hours at no charge. I have no goal except to bring about transformation. Together we work on the lies, the self-deception, the fears of the power you perceive to be outside yourself. We work on your difficulties in making decisions and your inability thus far to make bold choices in life and to follow through and trust yourself completely to do so.
The irony for some people is that the very thing that they want the coaching for (an indecisive, half-hearted life) is what’s keeping them from deciding whether to get coaching.
When you’re ready, reach out @ karen.laidlaw.theONEthing@outlook.com. Meanwhile, enjoy the blog!
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