Nothing happens until something moves

Einstein said that nothing happens until something moves.  This has its application as I consider the contrast, movements, and balance of the 10,000 things in their constant state of change.  Even mountains move up and down, trees overshadow shrubs, and the bluest of skies holds the potential for the darkest of storms.  I’m developing a sensation that the greater the pain, the greater the potential reward.  As a deep valley implies a tall peak I find myself considering how great the other side of this period may be.  Knowing that dawn always follows night is why birds sing before that first beam of light breaks through the sky.  They sing because they know, not because they assume or hope or have been reassured.  They know.  Cheesy?  Perhaps.  But I work hard at seeing everything as one, my heart no different than anyone else’s, and trying to make what is hard in life (albeit temporarily) even harder for the sake of training myself to be a better meat puppet. 

I’ve been practicing some Taoist approaches in my work and relationships that have started to show immediate benefits.  Finding a gap between my responses to return to a place of silent contemplation and asking my heart for the answer before I allow my head to interfere.  Listening to colleagues without the intention of returning quick volley.  Hearing what is being said and agreeing as my gut response, should I permit one to break free.   These have always been my techniques in class.  Allow the student to speak, listen with care, and guide them to accurate completion of thought and expression.  This is all anyone wants – to be able to convey an idea unimpeded and have the listener understand.  Look, I’m a talker.  I like being witty and clever.  This is hard for me to do in “life” as I’m no longer the authority figure as in the class setting.  I think what I love in teaching is I get to (have to) check my ego at the door and become a facilitator rather than an expert.  How do I continue that spirit when the bell rings and I skedge that next power lunch or confernence call?

I guess what I’m driving at is that we need to stop and listen more to not only what people are telling us, but what the universe is saying every single moment.  I’m catching myself being so frustrated with what intangible and imagined problems surface in this minute parenthesis of our eternal existence that I forget to step back, breathe, and listen.  I'm the worst at playing out scenarios in my head and feeling the emotions that might come with them as if it's happening, now.  

I know nothing of math or physics  Composition, I do know.  My fractal view of the universe is only singing the middle eight of a much longer and beautiful song right now.  The minor contrast of this bridge is likely serving to elevate the double chorus.  No promises, but I'm feeling a Wagneresque finale.