I am making progress.

This one will need to be short I am afraid due to my impetuous stupidity. I thought having done a few things I needed to get done that I would venture out to do one of my favourite walks. I had gone the route a few days ago and struggled with the ice covering the path the whole way up the den.  I was warned before leaving that having since had some rain and now even harder freezing that it would be even worse. 

Sure enough, that was indeed the case. I was not to be deterred and set of eventually making my way after a real struggle. I was even more determined to complete the part of the walk I had not managed the last attempt. It was, in parts like walking on a skating rink. Slowly and steadily I made my way. Then it happened, at the furthest out part of my route I slipped and banged my shoulder against a tree. I was and am in agony with every movement of it. 

So how can I say that I am making progress? Seems I have learned no lessons from the many times in the past that I did not take advice and found myself paying the price.  

Let me explain. 

 In the past, I would have been all huff and puff about my stupidity and made loads of noise and learned nothing. Today I am sitting admitting I was foolish and feeling ok about it. 

It is like this tale,  maybe  I need to contemplate. 

Yen Hui said, "I am making progress."

Lao Tzu asked, "In what way?"

Yen Hui said, "I have given up doing good and being always right."

Lao Tzu said, "Very good, but that is not quite enough."

Another day, Yen Hui saw Lao Tzu and said, "I am making progress."

Lao Tzu asked, "In what way?"

Yen Hui said, "I have given up ceremony and music."

Lao Tzu said, "Very good, but that is not quite enough."

Another day, Yen Hui saw Lao Tzu again and said, "I am making progress."Lao Tzu asked, "In what way?"

Yen Hui said, "I just sit and forget."

Lao Tzu was startled and asked, "What do you mean by sitting and forgetting?"

Yen Hui said, "I am not attached to the body and I give up any idea of knowing. By freeing myself from the body and mind, I become one with the infinite. This is what I mean by sitting and forgetting."

Lao Tzu said, "When there is oneness, there are no preferences. When there is a change there is no constancy. If you have really attained this, then let me become your pupil."

Yes, I think I am making progress, not because I am trying to but because I have stopped trying to. Trying to prove I am always right, trying to prove I can do everything, trying to prove I am smart. Knowing I have been a fool and sitting and accepting the lesson and forgetting anything else. 

My apologies if this is not making sense but to me, it is saying loads. I hope I am becoming a better me.

Have a wonderful day. Less serious tomorrow once the shoulder has rested.