Adaptation, Accomodation and Adjustment in Everyday Ramblings

I sure enjoyed the no ads while it lasted…

It is always an interesting challenge to pick a picture I have taken that reflects my current mood and the world outside. Right at this moment it is above freezing and not raining but it is overcast all the way to the ground and the rivers are swollen. It is seriously like living sealed into a cloud here lately. One can barely see anything that isn’t right in front of one’s face. I am holding out hope for some partial clearing in the next few days.

My ex-husband lives in a house near a river in Washington that almost hit flood stage yesterday afternoon. I have never had to evacuate and for that I am incredibly grateful.

We are sending bright spring flowers to my older sister today who is cold and depressed but hanging in there. If I were closer I would so be up there working on distraction.

I could use some distraction myself, as I still haven’t had confirmation that I am going to be able to teach at the church and I was supposed to start next week. I am going to call and make a gentle pest out of myself if I don’t hear today. I can’t market the darn thing if I don’t have the particulars nailed down. I am just a tad bit frustrated.

Last night I finally finished listening to the book about the history of what is supposed to be the foundational text in the yoga lineage I teach in, the Yoga Sutras. It has got to be one of the most fascinating books I have ever read and it would be lovely to have someone to talk to about it. I did mention it to Olga my teacher but she is not going there. She is simplifying and focusing on the practical aspects of teaching and is less interested in the scholarly approach.

Nobody really knows how much of the teachings actually come from the ancient texts and how much came from oral transmission and how much came from Tirumalai Krishnamacharya himself. There is a theory that many of the teaching come from some pretty out there sources. And there is another credible theory that the original three chapters of the book were in fact actually Buddhist teachings and that a Hindu scholar added the fourth chapter and 1st major commentary.

It is a mystery. I am engaged in a process of thinking deeply about what it is I am in fact teaching and practicing, and here on what I hope is the beginning of a long and fruitful teaching path (15 years or so) these are all good things to think about.

I don’t want to offend anyone but you already know I am a cat person and I am not crazy about most small dogs. That said though, there is this fellow in my neighborhood, about my age, retired I expect, who has this adorable small light brown dog with really short legs. The dog is curious and friendly but what touches my heart is that at least twice a day this guy carries his dog most of the way to the park up the hill on the street I live on. He is very sensitive to the effort the dog is making and often tucks him up under his arm. I have never seen him engaged with an electronic device while out and about.

We should all treat ourselves as kindly as he treats his dog me thinks.

I am trying a new approach with Diego when I am working at home. I close the door to the room I work in while I am working. The cats are adjusting but it is a change. He’s out there now while I type this on the other side of the door talking to me.

What I love about this is that Diego doesn’t need to act like a brat to get my attention and I spend less time being frustrated and annoyed with him, which isn’t good for any of us. His behavior is both getting better and he is also getting me better trained to address his needs. It has involved a whole lot of minor adaptations in my daily life to accommodate these two but they are overall very happy and active and affectionate.

Adaptation, accommodation… All good things for the aging brain, right?

I started reading Not My Father’s Son by Alan Cumming last night. It is quite entertaining and engaging.

Last updated January 06, 2015