Success in Your Everything
We're in Chiang Mai, Thailand and it is breath-taking here. In the foothills of the Himalayas, it is quite a bit quieter than the congested streets of Bangkok where we were on Monday.This place is magical. Like Bali, everything is alive and people are very kind. The only drawback we've found is that Thai directions are always this: [a vague arm motion in any direction] "It's over there."We always seem to find our way, and I guess the lack of specificity allows us to discover more of the city, so it's all good. :)Yesterday, Rick and I made the journey up to Doi Suthep Temple. We took 3 different taxis, which are modified pickup trucks with benches on either long side of the bed. There are covers over the bed so that the passenger area is more or less a cabin, with the opening at the back of the truck open so that you can feel the wind and watch the traffic behind you.
Scooters with entire families and motorbikes with full food carts attached drive up to the back and then zoom around to pass us, as the taxis are one of the slowest vehicles on the road. Along our trip we discovered why face masks are so popular around here; smog checks aren't too popular here I think. ;)Upon our arrival at the temple, we climbed the 305 steps to the top and payed the tourist entry fee (which actually isn't necessary, but the fee does go to maintenance of the temple so I think it's money well spent). All the hustle and bustle and chit-chat along the stairs silences as you enter the sacred grounds.
The hurried tourists slow their pace as they take in the intricate carvings along every column surrounding the main temple, and the numerous gilded sculptures of Buddha. It is not only the Thai version of Buddha here; there is also the round, joyous Buddha depicted in Chinese culture, statues of Ganesha, the elephant God from Hindu religion, and many more that I am not all that familiar with.Monks stroll the grounds with calm, pleasant demeanors, clad in orange robes and sandals. It is common here in Chiang Mai to see monks walking the streets, as there are over 200 Buddhist temples in the area.We come upon another set of stairs (this one quite a bit shorter) with numerous pairs of shoes and sandals at the base. This is the entry to the main temple.We remove our shoes and place them to the side. A little part of me worries that they may get stolen... and then I remember that this is a Buddhist temple and relax a little. No one wants that kind of karma on their slate.
Though the surrounding temple area was quiet, we realize just how silent it can get as we go through the main temple doors. No idle chit-chat here. Just reverence.Immediately, you are hit with the view of the awesome golden spire at the center of the temple. It shines as if it has never seen inclement weather, and it is so tall that I can't get the entire view in the sight of my camera.We walk on toward more statues of Buddha in different positions: sitting, standing, reclining. Then, we stumble upon a room.At the back of the room is a giant golden statue of Buddha, seated, face serene and gently smiling. Around the statue are other smaller effigies, all glistening gold and in various sizes which take up half the room.What really catches our attention, however, is the monk seated at one wall, surrounded by people from all walks of life, kneeling, heads bowed, with hands in prayer.He has an instrument like a bamboo broom without the handle in his hand and dips it in a bowl of water at his side. As I peer in at a sign just below the bowl, I see it is holy water. He then chants–in different languages–a blessing as he flicks water out over the kneeling worshippers.He includes at least 5 languages. The English one went something like this:"Ok! You have happiness, luck and health!"When he finishes, he summons the blessed up to the front where he ties a piece of cotton around the men's wrists (monks do not touch women, so a helper to his side gives them their cotton and then the recipients tie it on their own wrists). He then wishes them luck and happiness. A sign in front of him reads, "Holy cotton for success in your everything."Of course, Rick and I are amongst the next group in and we become blessed as well. As I kneel and bow my head, one word enters without warning and repeats in my mind as I feel the holy drops rain over me...
Clarity.
Ever since I came to SouthEast Asia, my head has felt jumbled. I thought it was just the time change for the first few days, and then I got a little sick in Bali, so maybe, I thought, it was that.Now, here, I'm anxious and I'm having trouble comprehending the feelings and thoughts I'm having. I fear for the unknown that I've thrust myself into, and here in this beautiful place with these beautiful people, I cannot escape it.So I pray for clarity. I pray for the light to guide me through these rough waters.When the monk is finished, the men go to him and the women go to his helper and we receive our cotton, and I leave feeling much like I did when I entered.
I went to bed last night even more anxious than I've been of late, but then I sleep like a baby and wake up to meditate early.The meditation feels long and my mind wanders, and it still struggles up to this moment.Then, I started thinking about the words on the sign for the holy cotton. "Success in your everything."I have a tendency to over-analyze, which leads me to miss out on the joy within situations. I believe success in our everything only comes after recognizing the joy you have while you have it, and learning from those situations in which you don't.Life is meant to be lived. The purpose of life is to be in it.My over-thinking is causing me to miss out on the joy available to me in this moment. My anxiety comes from my struggling to gain control over a situation in which I just don't have that option.As I sit here and write, I release. I cannot determine what will be. I don't know if what I'm doing is "right."Success will come because I will only fail if I don't learn from my efforts. Things will probably go the way I see them going, and that is alright.It is all "right."
As you go into your weekend, maybe you're holding on to what didn't go well this week, or maybe you're dreading the workload ahead in the next week. Just stop.You will have success in your everything if you can let go of what "must be," and what "should have been," and allow yourself to experience what is.Welcome in your future with an open heart, open mind and open eyes. You don't even need a monk to tell you that. ;)Our futures are presented to us in Thai directions; it's a way full of opportunities and adventure, and no specificity. Whichever path you take, you will find your way.I wish you success in your everything today and for every day to come.Stay strong,Amy