Via Basel: Somewhere in Between
I wrote about Grief and Gifts in July, Hope and Joy in August. As I try to figure out where I am right now, a sense of evenness, of balanced reality stands out to me these days. As the summer vacations come to a close with Labor Day weekend, and working-age people back to work, students back to schools and colleges, and even the major music festivals and entertainments, in front of my abode in Millennium Park are mostly over. Turmoil and wars abroad, and competing political campaigns at home are still news headliners, but below the surface I experience the mundane and the everyday concerns. That can range from my wellbeing, healthwise and financially, to focusing on those close to me and their needs. I prepare for more of my presentations on Mindfulness and related subjects by reading and rehearsing; for my work at Lawndale Christian Health Centre, by training in the new electronic medical records system implemented recently. I get more involved in my building’s diverse social activities, and the list goes on. I am sure that mirrors what most or some of you are experiencing. If not, that’s fine, too, but please continue reading anyway.
We can’t always bounce from one extreme to another without a buffer in between, and expect a happy or even a satisfied existence. In this age of constant bombardment by exterior entities, be they corporate, media, special interests, and others, to capture our attention through ubiquitous technology devices, mobile and stationary ones, we are left vulnerable to these wild emotional rides of ups and downs with no rest in between. An equanimity, a settling down on the important everyday mundane matters may not seem exciting, yet it is essential in bringing a balance in our lives, a restoration of our resilience, and in the process prepares us to weather the inevitable fluctuations, the highs and lows that come with no warning. A case in point, while drafting these thoughts, I was saddened by the school shooting in Georgia, but my resilience allowed me to process my emotions and led me to consider skillful actions in response to these recurrent assaults on our children.
I plan to calmly breathe my way through this month and hopefully the months to come. I invite you to join me in this quest for “Somewhere in Between.”
A confession: Yes, I mainly do write these short essays for you dear readers and to honor my son’s memory on his website, but I also do it to remind myself as I reread it, to practice and follow my own advice, bringing me closer to my authentic being.
Basel Al-Aswad, father of EIL founder Christopher Al-Aswad, is a yogi trapped in an Orthopedic Surgeon’s body. His loves in life include reading, writing, hiking, enjoying nature, meditation, and spending time with his large Iraqi family; now, semi-retired, he is exploring new avenues in medicine, education, public speaking, teaching, and social engagement.
Very nice reminder to stay grounded
Thank you Basel. I hear you about the ups and downs of our human experience. Enjoyed your article.
What popped in my mind after I finished reading your article is one of my favorite quotes “Life is what happens after we plan.” I wonder if our ups and downs might feel less sever or overwhelming if we are less attached to our “plan” and more welcoming what comes into our lives unplanned.