Strength Thru Lifes' Journey

I am always amazed at how constant changes are throughout life. I've always heard the saying "the only constant in life is change" (or something like that). I don't know why I'm always amazed by it. I think the amazing part is that sometimes the changes are good, and sometimes the changes are not so good. However, each result in the some of the same emotions. Good changes result in feelings of joy, satisfaction, and vindication. The other kind of changes may not immediately lead to those thoughts, but eventually we get there. I think it's really important to realize the tough times can be just as wonderful as the easy times. It's all about attitude and perspective. And let's not forget that the tough thing that we are faced with will come to an end. There is always that light at the end of the tunnel. And once we reach that light - there it is - joy (for having the trial no more), satisfaction (for getting through it), and vindication (for surviving and realizing this too will make me stronger). I think of it as part of lifes' journey. Who would we be - if it were not for the experiences we have throughout life? It's part of each individual's rites of passage.

Now let me offer some perspective on how we might get through our lifes' journey using an excerpt from Joseph Campbell's book, Myths to Live By, Chapter 7 - titled "Zen":

In India two amusing figures are used to characterize the two principal types of religious attitude. On is "the way of the kitten"; the other, "the way of the monkey." When a kitten cries "Miaow," its mother, coming, takes it by the scruff and carries it to safety; but as anyone who has ever traveled in India will have observed, when a band of monkeys come scampering down from a tree and across the road, the babies riding on their mothers' backs are hanging on by themselves. Accordingly, with reference to the two attitudes: the first is that of the person who prays, "O Lord, O Lord, come save me!" and the second of one who, without such prayers or cries, goes to work on himself.

One or the other, or both of these approaches may be best, depending on who you are or depending on your situation.