Piles of Suffering

 

When you look at suffering, there’s no end to it. But every bit you deal with is another step on the path.

But when I look at my desk piled high with stuff that needs sorting through, I know that I can’t just do a bit at a time.

I have to wait until I’m in the right frame of mind, with enough time, and then start to do it and keep on as far as I can.

If I start to do one little bit, I can’t really do it that way. It would take too many times of 'one little bit' to get anywhere. And if I start at the wrong time then either I'll get confused or disheartened and not want to start again, or else I will have to stop when there are piles of half sorted things everywhere that I will lose track of, that will then all need tidying again, and that would waste time.

I have to be efficient about it. What’s going to be the best in the long run? Whatever gets it done.

I know it will get done. Or maybe it won’t. It certainly looks bad.

But there is enough room for me to put a cup of coffee down (it might have to go on top of something sometimes…) and for my little computer to sit flat on the desk for me to type when I have to. Things can go on meanwhile.

Above and behind the table, I can see the little things that remind me of doing the right thing- the wooden bird that a monk gave me, and the little elephant.

My pens are on a little shelf there if I need them.

And the scissors. Mustn’t lose the scissors.

Everybody has a different way of doing things. You can't please everyone all the time.