Day 38: Dealing with change

Impermanence, Los Angeles, CA, April 2008,

Canon PowerShot SD870 IS, focal length 4.6mm, Exposure 1/60 sec @ f2.8, ISO 200, with flash, 

 © Steven Crisp [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Pretty wild how following the fall of the government of Tunisia, many other Arab governments have similarly come under fire (e.g., Egypt, Jordan, Yemen).  The power of revolution is pretty amazing.

It seems this graffiti artist was making a similar point.  Disenfranchised by the current establishment, he no doubt wants to see radical change.

How does that make you feel?  Does it raise your fear level?  Tug at your intrinsic need for security and stability?  I suspect so -- that is only natural.  Most of us, after all, are "playing the game" of life, and so we want to know the rule book.  But here's the thing ...

He's right -- one day this will all come down.  This is simply the Buddhist notion of impermanence -- nothing is permanent (not to mention physics).  My suggestion is to reflect on the nature of impermanence, and how best to not get caught up in the perception that everything will remain as it is now.  Change is inevitable, and ultimately the essential characteristic of the universe.  It is also inherent and necessary for evolution.

So go ahead.  Build those sandcastles.  But do so with the light heart and non-attachment of a child.  And check out this older post for a little more insight.

• Donation:  Randy Pausch memorial fund at Carnegie Mellon Univeristy
• Exercise:  Ride my bike to work (30 mins); run home (60 mins)