Lessons from the Korean Monk

There's this book that I have been reading for what seems like forever and it's still lying beside me. The book full of inspiration and quotes and lessons from a Korean monk, who imparts his wisdom on ordinary folks.

The thing that stuck in my mind the most isn't even in the book itself funnily enough. It was an interview where he spoke about our desires and disappointment, when you look forward to something so much (in other words: expectations) that you ended being disappointed (in other words: unhappy) when you finally get to live the experience. With his own experience- it was about some cake that he wanted to try so much, he resisted at first, then the thoughts stayed in his mind until finally he had to come back to the café to try the cake which everyone was excited over- and in the end, it was just that. 'Good' but not 'extraordinary'.

I think sometimes wanting something too much can have the opposite effect. When you get there, you actually start to be in a state of disbelief that you can't fully enjoy the experience. So what I would do, is to just accept that things are not going to be perfect all the time. Sometimes the things you spend your whole life (or what feels like your whole life) waiting for is wonderful, and other times, it could just be simple and underwhelming. And plain. But having arrived there- the point is to soak in the sights and sounds, the happenings and cultivate the gratitude of having arrived to be fortunate enough to take part of the experience.

So live it. Embrace the moment and forget about what you 'thought' it was 'gonna be like' but instead, embrace and see for yourself what is really happening right now. And feel it - whether it is good, great, bad, mediocre or plain normal- it is what it is. So accept that very moment and your presence and existence.

To me, that alone is mindfulness. Gently remind yourself of the truth in front of your eyes and accept it, love it, embrace it.

Reality

How do you live

Coz all I want is to want him back

I asked how did he feel

When he texted Happy New Year

And she didn’t reply

He said no one told him then

That he was delusional

He thought they could still be together

I said I am at that stage now

I am delusional

All I think is that we are meant to be

Because I’m talking your ears off

And I still say he’s my boyfriend

Can’t get used to saying the word ex

Coz he’s still coming back

We found each other back then right

And even if it’s just for one minute

I’m glad we could have a normal conversation

You sound normal and I sound normal

We both talking about normal things

Your guard was up but you were still talking

Still listening and responding

And so even if it was just for a minute

I know that it was a precious minute

So I’m grateful and smiling and laughing

Cause there’s no bad blood all we need is a fresh start youngblood