Don't be a Dick...
....Richard, that is. I have been wanting to write this post since having a great conversation with friends a few weeks ago but had to get permission and the "balls "to use the title! Yes, this is going to be one of those posts when I crack myself up at first, so brace yourself. Before I tell you what's behind the clever name, feel free to check out the link on how Dick became a nickname for Richard. Fascinating I tell you, just fascinating. Based on this body of research and the most common letters used to shorten names (H, B and D) I am currently thinking that my nickname shall be Ham (and look, a natural pun.) If that doesn't work, feel free to just holler "Bam or Dam" and you are sure to get my attention. Now, where was I going with this?
One of my last posts was an exploration into the word Saucha or Contentment. I was having a conversation with myself about what that really meant. A few of the lingering questions at the time debated whether contentment was settling. It is defined as satisfied and that led to the question of whether contentment was complacency. I didn't have many answers, but I had a great number of questions for this virtual world of spiritual warrior followers. That post was written on Jan. 29th. Since that time and probably because I left the inquiry, the answer for me became quite clear. Contentment, for me, does not mean settling...unless you mean settling into the present moment and being grateful for all that you have. It is, instead, a place of peace and gratitude that one can visit time and time again. And from this place, if you choose, aspire for more. "Happy with where I am, and ready for more" Abraham Hicks It is not selfish to aspire for more. To me, it is growing, knowing, living and learning. And that place of contentment is just the fertile ground that will nourish your journey, time and time again.
So what does this have to do with being a Dick? Nothing really, I just liked the title. Just kidding. I have these three friends, let's call them Thelma, Louise and Jane (cuz it goes with Dick). Thelma, Louise and I get together monthly to share our common humanity, if you will. We drink wine, laugh, cry and consider our place in this larger world; it is our own spirit meeting as we like to say. To say that we have each come to rely on, look forward to and grow from these encounters would be an extreme understatement. I value them and this time together and am grateful for each occasion. This particular night, Jane joined us late in the evening. Inviting her to join in the conversation, we prompted her with the question "who visits here tonight?", a term I lovingly embraced from a wonderful woman in Tucson. Not having had the amount of wine or chocolate covered Grand Marnier Strawberries we had been enjoying, she didn't have a f'ing clue what we were talking about. Neither did we really so we changed it to "what's happening in your world right now and how do you feel about it?" Long story long, Jane told us about how she had just been offered the opportunity to go to a retirement seminar at work. When the day came, she didn't go. "You know, I guess I'm just not ready to think about that right yet," she said. "However, what I do know is that I don't want to be like Dick." Dick, a co-worker, is in his mid sixties and has been doing this job for many, many years. "I want him to get from behind his desk, go on vacation, live a little. This life is so brief even if we are lucky enough to live a long, healthy life. But it can fleeting, we just never know. All I know is I don't want to be like Dick ten years from now and be sitting behind this desk!" Wow...all of us gazed at Jane. First of all to be able to seamlessly join in our Zen (buzzed) conversation was impressive enough, but she was so on our wavelength and her openness welcomed and appreciated.
For the next few hours, we talked about living life, taking risks, balancing responsibility with the desire to listen to our hearts and let it lead the way. Big surprise, but I quickly developed the mantra "Don't be Dick!" When brainstorming ideas about who or what anyone of us wanted in our life would be tamed by the inevitable fear or practicality of the situation, I would interject "Don't be Dick! Don't be a Dick!" It was the chant heard around the world...or at least around the room. A great side note is that Jane has been sharing my adventures with Dick, though we have never met. Apparently I am inspiring him as much as he has now inspired each of us. What an amazing world.
As I hugged and kissed the gals goodnight, I was completely and utterly content. Although it had been sometime since I had written a post, I knew on the drive home that night that it was all coming together. So my friends....cherish your day, embrace your life and for goodness sake, "Don't be a Dick."
Namaste
One of my last posts was an exploration into the word Saucha or Contentment. I was having a conversation with myself about what that really meant. A few of the lingering questions at the time debated whether contentment was settling. It is defined as satisfied and that led to the question of whether contentment was complacency. I didn't have many answers, but I had a great number of questions for this virtual world of spiritual warrior followers. That post was written on Jan. 29th. Since that time and probably because I left the inquiry, the answer for me became quite clear. Contentment, for me, does not mean settling...unless you mean settling into the present moment and being grateful for all that you have. It is, instead, a place of peace and gratitude that one can visit time and time again. And from this place, if you choose, aspire for more. "Happy with where I am, and ready for more" Abraham Hicks It is not selfish to aspire for more. To me, it is growing, knowing, living and learning. And that place of contentment is just the fertile ground that will nourish your journey, time and time again.
So what does this have to do with being a Dick? Nothing really, I just liked the title. Just kidding. I have these three friends, let's call them Thelma, Louise and Jane (cuz it goes with Dick). Thelma, Louise and I get together monthly to share our common humanity, if you will. We drink wine, laugh, cry and consider our place in this larger world; it is our own spirit meeting as we like to say. To say that we have each come to rely on, look forward to and grow from these encounters would be an extreme understatement. I value them and this time together and am grateful for each occasion. This particular night, Jane joined us late in the evening. Inviting her to join in the conversation, we prompted her with the question "who visits here tonight?", a term I lovingly embraced from a wonderful woman in Tucson. Not having had the amount of wine or chocolate covered Grand Marnier Strawberries we had been enjoying, she didn't have a f'ing clue what we were talking about. Neither did we really so we changed it to "what's happening in your world right now and how do you feel about it?" Long story long, Jane told us about how she had just been offered the opportunity to go to a retirement seminar at work. When the day came, she didn't go. "You know, I guess I'm just not ready to think about that right yet," she said. "However, what I do know is that I don't want to be like Dick." Dick, a co-worker, is in his mid sixties and has been doing this job for many, many years. "I want him to get from behind his desk, go on vacation, live a little. This life is so brief even if we are lucky enough to live a long, healthy life. But it can fleeting, we just never know. All I know is I don't want to be like Dick ten years from now and be sitting behind this desk!" Wow...all of us gazed at Jane. First of all to be able to seamlessly join in our Zen (buzzed) conversation was impressive enough, but she was so on our wavelength and her openness welcomed and appreciated.
For the next few hours, we talked about living life, taking risks, balancing responsibility with the desire to listen to our hearts and let it lead the way. Big surprise, but I quickly developed the mantra "Don't be Dick!" When brainstorming ideas about who or what anyone of us wanted in our life would be tamed by the inevitable fear or practicality of the situation, I would interject "Don't be Dick! Don't be a Dick!" It was the chant heard around the world...or at least around the room. A great side note is that Jane has been sharing my adventures with Dick, though we have never met. Apparently I am inspiring him as much as he has now inspired each of us. What an amazing world.
As I hugged and kissed the gals goodnight, I was completely and utterly content. Although it had been sometime since I had written a post, I knew on the drive home that night that it was all coming together. So my friends....cherish your day, embrace your life and for goodness sake, "Don't be a Dick."
Namaste
But don't you have to ask one question. Perhaps Dick is perfectly CONTENT and happy being a dick. Sitting behind that desk coudl provide him with all the joy and fulfillment HE needs out of life. right?
ReplyDeleteIndeed you do brother. That was part of our conversation. Maybe that is all he needs and wants to be happy. I think the point was that she was projecting this vision as being less than ideal for her........
ReplyDelete