Serendipity

It's odd, the way your life can be made up of coincidences.

I saw a program last night on TV, part of the ABC's Compass series (semi-religious Sunday evening program dealing not just with Christianity but all religions. Often very informative), part of a series on philosophy and how it can help us in ordinary life. This one focussed on Seneca, and his theories on anger. Summed up (very quickly before I get off to work), he believed that the reason we get angry about things is because we have unrealistic expectations of life. We're too optimistic. By meditating in a calm and controlled fashion on the things that can go wrong during the day, we're better prepared to deal with them when they do.

The other part was that while we need to accept that yes, things go wrong, we need to focus or abilities on the things we can change, not on the things we can't. We're going to end up being pulled in directions we don't want to go, so at least we can go that way and not be strangled by fighting it.

The coincidence is that Gerg was explpaining to me about the Bhuddist concept of Dukka, which seems to be the same thing. Things will go wrong, you will suffer, but the more you fight that suffering, the worse you will feel. So better to accept that yes, things are bad right now, and get on with the things you can change.

Or that's my approximation. I may be wrong. Any way, I'll be thinking more about this.

***

I spent a large chunk of yesterday writing. Which means I'm almost finished the latest Common People story (yes, the smook one). I also had an idea for a more original story, which I'm letting churn away in the subconscious for a while - after scribbling down the general idea in a randomly-grabbed notebook last night.

And before I go (because I need to get the mail and open the place this morning as Paula's away), a fic reccommendation: "Cigarettes", by Gen X. It's a Darkminds fic, which is something I've never read, but don't let not knowing the book stop you. Great characterisation, wonderfully dark story.

On an even keel

Feeling neither overly angsty, nor overly happy, which is a welcome, really, after the rollercoaster ride my emotions have been on lately. A nice, neutral feeling - work was okay, neither great nor horrible (that's saved for Wednesday), BRM's in a good enough mood to have communication with for a change, and nothing has occurred to me with enough force to be worthy of mention. Which all makes for a rather dull LJ post, which will be a relief for my regular readers. *grins*

There are plans afoot for a movie tomorrow night with Julie and Leanne, and my tai chi class starts on Wednesday. And I've got another swim planned for tomorrow morning - Tuesdays and Thursdays will work nicely, I think. Pete also told me to request my leave without pay for the trip soon so it gets approved, which I'll sort out tomorrow - I have to ask for a day off for GASP, any way. And sort out my actual leave amounts - Di has stuffed things up, since there's only 14 days rec leave on my pay slip. So, not a lot to talk about, really.

There are signs, small but hopeful ones, that the general population is starting to realise how draconian the current immigration policies are. More and more politicians are speaking out against the detention centres, often contrary to the policy of their party leaders, and more and more people are turning out at protests and meetings. And the government has gone so far as to release unaccompanied children and some families from the camps. A recognition that maybe a detention camp surrounded by razor wire in the middle of the desert isn't the best place for children. Think of the camp where the Taliban prisoners are being held, and you're not far off Australia's detention centres for "illegal immigrants" (otherwise known as refugees).

It's not a solution, but a sign, of sorts.

This whole business - and the re-election of The Gnome on a racist platform - has really made me lose my sense of pride in being Australian. As a nation we're not hugely patriotic - there's not much tendency to wave flags or chant slogans unless it's at a sporting event of some kind - but we're proud of being Aussie. We may put ourselves down and belittle our achievements, but should someone else do the same, we'll hit them like a tonne of bricks. So seeing my beloved country show its ugliest side, and revel in it, has left me wondering why I love it so much in the first place. Not a good feeling, for someone who becomes Uber-Aussie in the presence of foreigners.