I Can Change
The first exercise I am working on in pursuit of happiness (don't know if I'll make the enlightened part so let's keep the goals simple, eh?) is the I can change exercise. Basically you take whatever behavior that you have that is hurting others (download music illegally, kicking puppies, top-shelving, or whatever) and you change it. Simple as that, kinda. What you are supposed to do is when you commit a "sin" you say to yourself "I can change" and then you actively try to change that behavior. There is no confession to a "magic" man who makes you repeat a mantra a set number of times and it also makes you accountable. For example, instead of the lame ass "I'm sorry" when you do something like, oh, say, leave an entire sink full of dishes you actually commit to getting the dishes cleaned up instead of leaving them for someone else to do. If you do slip up, and hey we're all human, you tell yourself you can change and set your mind to changing.
So, test time for me today. I have this habit of mentally (and if the right co-worker is there then verbally as well) ripping apart some of the fashion choices of the customers. This guy came in wearing the most hideous coat I have ever seen in my life. It was a steel grey, quilted, full length coat with some sort of abstract design on the back and fur lined cuffs and collar.
Hideous!
So I am mentally ripping this guy a new for his obvious lack of bad taste when I realize, "shit, I'm trying to change this behaviour. What do I care if he has horrible taste in outerwear. I can change, I can change, I can change," I started chanting to myself. The only problem with that (and D. will attest to this) is that I have no edit button between my brain and mouth. Pretty much if I start to think something I also start to say it. So there I am foaming up milk with a look of horror on my face at the poor choice of outerwear and I start saying "I can change," in a sing song voice. The poor guy just looks at me cross eyed and takes his drink then says "there is also no place like home,"
Gotta hand it to him, he was a quick one.
posted by Vinnie G. @ 5:22 PM
2 Comments:
"The only problem with that (and D. will attest to this) is that I have no edit button between my brain and mouth."
Not sure if it's an edit button. My friend Stout and I like to say that's a person's filter. Like a manners filter or a brutally honest filter. The filter moves closer to the "off" position directly proportionally with the amount of alcohol ingested. When someone says such things we remark, "filter off," and there's even a range past the off position which gets the response of, "filter waaaaay off."
You were just born with a faulty filter. Don't worry about it. Such a genetic quality usually brings joy and laughs to people who are not the target of your faulty filter, so in essence, you may be being mean to one person, but bringing much joy to others at the same time!
I worry you won't be as much fun when you're no longer evil. I'm sure the Buddha allowed a little discretionary mocking...
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home