本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛One day I accompanied my mother to a dental office. While waiting I picked up a book to read. Each page had one picture and some witty comments. One of them was a little gold fish in a small fish bowl with a cat staring at the fish. The caption was “I am going to take control of my life”. You can tell the fish’s unshakeable determination from its big eyes and the cat’s pent-up aggression from its paw.
That image hasn’t left me ever since.
Paul is our friend. He had been doing different odd jobs for his whole life while pursuing his dream to become a famous standup comedian. He was broke several times and barely got by. An unexpected opportunity led him into an Internet business, selling used professional equipment. Now the business is good and he bought himself all the toys, Mercedes sedan, BMW Z3 convertible, laptop, digital camera and PDA etc. He loves toys. Now and then he would call us, complaining that the business is slowing down or business is too good and he doesn’t have enough help. We try our best to give him suggestions or simply lend an ear to listen. One time I said to Ray, “It seems everybody has their own problems, no matter whether they are rich or poor. The problems seem to fill up their life. “ “Yep, everybody has a little life. People are only able to see what they can see. “ He replied.
We all want to have control over our life, whether it’s career, relationships, family or our wild mind. When we are just about to get a grasp of it, we are thrown off balance by other external forces, such as layoffs, breakups or other unexpected events like illness or death.
Whenever I become obsessed with problems in my life, that little gold fish and the expression “our little life” will come to my mind. I will tell myself, “Yes, my little life is very real and important to me but don’t forget there is a much bigger world outside. Even if there is somebody in our life who is influential, there are other people or things for us to explore and guide us to our next level.”
It is all about perspective: the microcosm of the self and the macrocosm of the universe. While we try our best to take control, we also need to get comfortable with the fact that there are many unanticipated events that shape our life. Life is probably not about fighting or controlling rather about surrendering. It is about finding the path that is our destiny and moving forward.
Step by step, I learned to look beyond my little life and adjust my perspective. I am also more willing to surrender to the higher order of the universe.
Thanks for reading.
January 8, 2004 Hawaii
P.S. In considering perspective, I just learned a new way of looking at finite and infinite time continuums. I might want to share with you in my next story, “Jack, would you come with me?”
Also I met an artist the other day; I adore her works. I'm including the link here for your enjoyment.
http://janetdavis.com/更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
That image hasn’t left me ever since.
Paul is our friend. He had been doing different odd jobs for his whole life while pursuing his dream to become a famous standup comedian. He was broke several times and barely got by. An unexpected opportunity led him into an Internet business, selling used professional equipment. Now the business is good and he bought himself all the toys, Mercedes sedan, BMW Z3 convertible, laptop, digital camera and PDA etc. He loves toys. Now and then he would call us, complaining that the business is slowing down or business is too good and he doesn’t have enough help. We try our best to give him suggestions or simply lend an ear to listen. One time I said to Ray, “It seems everybody has their own problems, no matter whether they are rich or poor. The problems seem to fill up their life. “ “Yep, everybody has a little life. People are only able to see what they can see. “ He replied.
We all want to have control over our life, whether it’s career, relationships, family or our wild mind. When we are just about to get a grasp of it, we are thrown off balance by other external forces, such as layoffs, breakups or other unexpected events like illness or death.
Whenever I become obsessed with problems in my life, that little gold fish and the expression “our little life” will come to my mind. I will tell myself, “Yes, my little life is very real and important to me but don’t forget there is a much bigger world outside. Even if there is somebody in our life who is influential, there are other people or things for us to explore and guide us to our next level.”
It is all about perspective: the microcosm of the self and the macrocosm of the universe. While we try our best to take control, we also need to get comfortable with the fact that there are many unanticipated events that shape our life. Life is probably not about fighting or controlling rather about surrendering. It is about finding the path that is our destiny and moving forward.
Step by step, I learned to look beyond my little life and adjust my perspective. I am also more willing to surrender to the higher order of the universe.
Thanks for reading.
January 8, 2004 Hawaii
P.S. In considering perspective, I just learned a new way of looking at finite and infinite time continuums. I might want to share with you in my next story, “Jack, would you come with me?”
Also I met an artist the other day; I adore her works. I'm including the link here for your enjoyment.
http://janetdavis.com/更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net