Learn to love the interruptions
While on a phone call with my parents, I was telling them how I was navigating my fluctuating schedule, as many of my clients travel for the summer, making my calendar and life in general less predictable. My mom responded, “You’re navigating life.”
Her point was that modern life is guaranteed to throw curveballs in the form of hassles, delays, and challenges. These curveballs can be made tougher or more tame by how we approach them.
Coincidentally, just the day before, I read a passage by author James Clear on this very topic that aligned with my mom’s insight.
"Learn to love the interruptions. Find the fun in the delay, the humor in the challenge, the pleasure in the daily commute.
A great deal of life is spent dealing with interruptions and waiting for the conditions to turn. We think, 'If I can just get past this, then things will open up.' But the interruption is not standing between you and your life. It is your life.
Yes, I prefer hassle-free days too. But you'll rarely find a situation that is all bad. There are little pockets of joy folded inside the annoyances we face. There is always fun to be had if you go looking for it.
This is one of the arts of living. It's the art of enjoying the imperfect days. It's the art of making all the moments count."
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Slipstream
I really appreciate the insight of this article. It's a good reminder to go with the flow of the universe. It may not be our mapped plan, but there's much to learn and enjoy along the path. Thanks!
Evangel
The world we live in with its extreme form capitalism, has taught us how to rush through life at breakneck speed. We've forgotten how to go with the flow and trust it. I've learned that such frustrations, with patience, have taught me how to settle down and feel much calmer overall. That's not to say I've conquered impatience, but I do my best to take challenges in stride and find purpose in them. Keep looking for the joy every day, despite the annoyances or fears that arise. "For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven."
Well Street
You're right; finding the joy in challenges isn't an easy endeavor, but with the potential to turn down the volume of stress and angst, it's a worthy one.
I wondered where I heard that quote and had to look it up—Ecclesiastes 3.
Wilsons Grave
A day without mosquitos and hellish heat would be nice. But until that happens, I'll take the advice! Thanks.
Present Valley
Great article and so relevant. Thank you.
I appreciate the point about looking for the joy.
I've had two great experiences that were geared to help me get better at dealing with life's interruptions. Years ago in a class we were challenged about our "when then" thinking. When the interruption is over then I'll be calm or happy or fill in the blank. It was an eye opener.
The other was my meditation practice. Initially, thinking I could only meditate if my environment was absolutely calm and quiet. While I got more skillful about meditating no matter what was going on around me and off the meditation cushion calming myself when interruptions show up...I have by no means perfected this. I am still a works in progress.
Life has taught me to develop a keen eye for finding joy in the most unlikely places. That has become "an art of living" that makes the imperfect days feel more manageable.
Well Street
Actively looking for the good in everyday life sounds like a template to feel good in mind and heart.
Homeless Valley
Finding joy inside the annoyance of imperfect days...what a concept! This strikes a loud chord in me. How do I do that? Well, like the quote suggests, I'm going to "go looking for it" next time such a day crops up. Thanks for sharing this knowledge.