If you’re looking for a foolproof technique or strategy to finally get a grip on your life, don’t look here.

The Buddha has a lot more to offer you than I do. Or Lao Tse.  Or so many other brilliant spiritual teachers who have changed and are changing the world.  That’s just the thing.  I’m living in the terrible world like you are right now, and it sucks.  

Last night I went to bed worrying about paying the bills.  I couldn’t sleep.  I played online games.  That didn’t help.  I tossed and turned.  Somehow, I must have fallen asleep.  And by golly, I must have experienced enlightenment overnight, because this morning I woke up feeling inspired and fresh.

I honestly have no idea what happened.  No substances were involved.

I do remember thinking, as I was drifting off, that I was in a grumpy mood.  I thought about certain friends and other people I admire who seem not to be grumpy most of the time.  I thought about my entire childhood, especially high school, my whole lifelong curriculum vita of truculence and disputatiousness.

Yeah, no kidding, I thought about the big picture of my difficult and sordid life as I was drifting off to sleep.  No stone was left unturned.

The last thing I remember thinking was:  how is it that these people I admire and even love choose not to be grumpy? Maybe if I just choose not to be grumpy it could work for me for just a few minutes.  What a stupid idea.

But I woke up feeling like it wasn’t a stupid idea at all.

Copyright © 2023 by Marilee Snyder