"I
played the wrong, wrong notes" Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monk
(1917-1982) is recognized as one of the most influential figures
in the history of Jazz. He was one of the architects of bebop and
his impact as a composer and pianist has had a profound influence
on every genre of music.
I keep a Zen Calendar
in my bathroom so I have something insightful to think about, as
I get ready for the day. When I first read these words, I was at
a loss as to what they meant. I kept reading them repeatedly trying
to make sense of the words. Finally, after some time passed I gave
up and went about my day.
The next morning when
I went to tear off the calendar page, I read the words again and
they still did not make sense. What did they mean? I crumpled up
the page and tossed it into the trash. Before it hit the bottom
of the receptacle like a flash, I knew exactly what they meant to
me.
Life brings us choices
in each moment of everyday. Sometimes these choices are easier and
go without much notice like what to have for breakfast or what clothes
to wear that day. Then there are those that require more thought
like do I buy or rent a house. Should I marry this person or should
I get a divorce. Other more difficult choices might involve possible
life and death situations like deciding to do chemotherapy or try
a new drug to help with a life threatening disease. Choices come
is all sizes and shapes but they are always with us in each moment
of everyday.
Each time we make a choice
there is a result and sometimes consequences. Usually when there
are consequences, we look back and say if I had only done the other
way things would have turned out better. As Billy Wilder said, "Hindsight
is always 20/20."
Is it possible that every
choice we make is the right choice? No matter the choice, there
are lessons learned. When does a choice become the wrong choice?
Is it when we do not like the outcome or our life becomes harder?
Is it when our actions hurt someone else? What if I leave my marriage
and my partner is hurt. Was this a wrong choice? Course in Miracles
says, "There are no tragedies." Does this mean that something positive
comes out of all situations?
What happens when we make
a choice and the outcome is not what we expected or wanted? I use
to regret this kind of situation and then I would think about all
the other choices I could have made. Of course, things would have
turned out better if only I had done it another way. Is it our very
nature to think this way or do we have a CHOICE in these situations?
We do not really know in most cases that this other choice would
have turned out better. This is an assumption on our part that takes
us out of the moment and focuses our attention and energy on lack
and negativity. Can we look with a new pair of eyes and find what
this way has taught us. If you believe that thoughts create, then
what are you creating in your life by thinking your choice was wrong?
I have noticed in my own
life that the difficult times have taught me many great lessons
about myself, and living life more fully. Does this mean I have
to struggle to learn? No, of course you do not. What it does is
give us the opportunity to see things in a different way and maybe
not struggle so hard even during the difficult times. At the very
least coming out the other side realizing what we have learned that
will make our life fuller.
You have to play, to play
the wrong, wrong note. You cannot live life without making choices
and living with the consequences. You may think that some of your
choices are wrong but are they really. Look back on a decision from
your past that at the time you thought was the wrong choice. Can
you now see what you learned and how it changed you or your life
for the better? Maybe it changed someone else's life for the better.
Do not think that every choice you make only effects you. We live
in a world where all thoughts, actions and deeds affect everyone
around us. We are all powerful creators of the world we live in.
Realize that there is something to learn from everything we do and
pay attention to your next choice. Looking back even when you think
your choice was wrong. What did this choice teach you? When you
have learned from playing the wrong, wrong notes then life will
become a symphony of sweet music.
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