Ten thousand flowers in spring, the moon in autumn,
A cool breeze in summer, snow in winter.
If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things,
This is the best season of your life.
      – Wu-me

The poem cleared – unclouded – my mind. Cleansed me. The way a novel, say, the Overstory by Richard Powers, wipes away worries every night. I read a page, another, I try to block out my worries – for family, country, future – take comfort in the overhang of branches.

A novel, like a tree, offers shade.  Does not throw shade, offers a respite from worries. 

I’ve been telling one daughter to stop saying, “I’m worried about…” and instead try, “I’m wondering about…”

Wondering, worrying, fixing. Healing. Seeking, finding shade.

**

My mindfulness class showed me that I’m fixated on fixing. What is the difference between fixing and healing? I wondered. My mindfulness-based stress reduction teacher, Elaine Retholtz, a wise guru, introduced me to Wu-me’s poem. We shared some reflections: 

• What do you want to see next? – Lake Bell

• You will never own the future if you care what other people think. – Cindy Gallop