And the beat goes on...

[candid]

Dear friends,

I have lost the job I spoke of earlier. I think I have a pretty objective view of it and am not going to fall into the ?hero-victim? syndrome, which Dharma has warned me of. At least, I?ll do my best to stay centered and focused through this transition. It was simply a matter of the task and the talent. I do well with what I do. I?m a professional. But its not what they wanted done. What they wanted done falls outside of any interest in the task, and that task needs to be driven by passion.

Perhaps the most challenging part of it is having no car. Public transportation? Please, don?t even mention it. Up here in the desert hills, nothing is very reachable on foot. My immediate needs are provided for, so there?s no extreme urgency for essentials. I?m ok.

Obviously, I?ve done a few readings which have led up to this point. 10 being a reoccurring one. This was understandable, because it was important that I conducted myself well in the departure, for a number of reasons, moral and practical.

I took a cab home and sat to do a reading. My questions were as follows:

Now what? Do I begin immediately searching again? (car element drags me down at this point) So I ask, what about transportation? I did the reading electronically and didn?t watch the hexagram develop. My mind was entirely focused on the 3 questions, written on paper before me.

#1 changes in 3, 4 and 5. I read over the Wilhelm translation and then went to the relating hexagram, #41. Well now, imagine my surprise at that one. While 41 makes obvious sense to me, 1 with changes left me asking? what the?? Its kinda funny, because not too long ago, I helped a friend through these very same changes with ease. Yet, as it pertains to my situation, I scratch my head and ask lots of questions. How can I just retreat into myself, when economic demands require nearly immediate attention? Aren?t I forced to bear down and Make something happen? How can I afford a sagely retreat? And how can I overcome the physical challenges I deal with when I can?t even drive to my place of employment? And furthermore, though I desire to follow the sage in change 5, how is it that I?ve come to be in his presence, in first person, in the first place? How is it that a failure on the job accredits me with this kind of reading?

#41 says to control my anger and restrain my instincts. This is good and well understood, cuz I could really go off now, if I allowed myself too. But as far as #1 is concerned, I?m left sitting here scratching my head.

Any input is very welcomed.
~Candid

 

[willow]

Candid,

My condolences, and "good riddance" too!

One thing that strikes me is that you've been released from a mismatch between passion and expectation. So, in a sense, since you carry the passion with you, and leave behind the expectation of the former employer, you are in that #1 state -- energy unrestricted by fixed conditions.

I think that you have to take all three of the changing lines together, and not just focus on one. Line 3 does seem to describe what you've been letting us in on here -- active day and night, mind busy, busy. Your role at Clarity (which I presume employs some of the talents and passions your employer did not value!) could be described with: "A sphere of influence opens up for the great man. His fame begins to spread. The masses flock to him. His inner power is adequate to the increased outer activity. There are all sorts of things to be done, and when others are at rest in the evening, plans and anxieties press in upon him." The issue here is keeping in touch with your own integrity as you meet the opportunities presented to you.

In line 4, "wavering flight," the emphasis is on the choice between sage or hero -- clearly both are viable options, the choice (or balance) is up to you. "Each one in this situation must make a free choice according to the inner law of his being. If the individual acts consistently and is true to himself, he will find the way that's appropriate for him."

Then in line 5, you've arrived! The issue of transportation is addressed by attending to affinities. You'll get where you are going by allowing yourself to be attracted to whatever it is in your nature to be attracted to. With integrity and free choice under your belt, those people/things that vibrate in sympathy with you will be attracted to you, and you to them. This could manifest in any number of ways, from a friend offering you a car, to finding a from-home web based job. I don't know.

I don't mean to diminish the mudane transportation issue (the car), but I also see it here pointing to something like "you are your own vehicle."

An image that came to my mind a while back, when you mentioned this job loss was a possibility, was one of you chucking it all and becoming a wandering holy man -- like those people who walk from California to Washington for peace. I don't get the impression that that is literally right for you, but there does seem to be something going on about radically simplifying the material to allow the spiritual a visible place in the physical for you.

The two small bowls of #41 encouraged me to share that image.

The thrust of #41 is how to shift wealth without causing the sources of wealth to fail. What is called for is sincerity, which seems to me to be rolling into one all the qualties it will take to navigate the flight of lines 3,4,5.

As I was reading #41, about contributing to heaven, it also seems appropriate to remind you that you're still "employed" by the Ultimate Employer -- God, The All, or (as a friend of mine says, The Whatever).

Good luck, supreme good fortune!
Willow

 

[imh]

Dear Candid,

Sorry to intrude, but after reading yr message (you have my sympathy) my immediate reaction was: "I would have read #41 as the context", in other words as Hilary does it sometimes, reading first #41, as a description of where you are now, and then # 1, as what is in the horizon. I don't know if it makes any sense to you, but I thought to tell you. About an input, well I am very much of a beginner and I leave that to the experts. In the meantime, hang in there!

IMH

 

[candid]

Dear Willow,

Wham! Thank you. I have nothing to add or question. Right on every count. Really pulls it into perspective, which is what I had asked for. Will need to read it more and let it soak into my pores.

Hi IMH! That's really interesting. Yes, when put into that light (reversing order), it certainly does make allot of sense. Thanks for pointing it out. (You too, Hilary!)

~Candid

 

[cheiron]

Candid

You have a lot of insight and wisdom.

But do not forget you will need time for adjustment too.

I agree with Willow... it seemed to me that your work was an odd placement given your talents... but as you said it had changed into something demanding a someone who you are not.

I cannot do proper justice to your situation tonight except to recognise your circumstance and and great strengths.

In Sympathy

Cheiron

 

[candid]

If I am too reveling or self indulgent here, I welcome correction. This experience seems to archetypal to limit to personal experience.

The great difficulty of my life is doing anything which I?m not passionate about. I?m what would today be considered a fairly extreme ADD case. I?ve read the material and it reads like autobiography.

I don?t have to especially enjoy the subject, but I must have a passion for it in some way or other. When it?s a combination of both, its explosive, as far as my energy is concerned. Much of the commercial artwork, jingle lyrics, creative writing, I did for the company was in the very early hours on my home computer. Its when I was inspired and alert. Most of the other intensive duties were performed at the office with equal fervor. But by 2PM, when I was supposed to be making the rounds to prospective customers, I was dead on my feet. This was, and probably always will be, a pattern. It was the last job duty that I came up short in. I?ll whine, albeit briefly here, that I was later given the task of customer complaint resolution and tracking. I resolved expertly, but failed to do the logistics of tracking. (left brain asleep) This added a good 4 hours of additional work per day. The afternoon calls were not constantly made.

Its always liberating, at first, to have such an extreme paradigm change, such as suddenly being unemployed. However, this is a pattern, which I?ve come to realize can never change, so long as my passion is confined to an 8-5 job. This doesn?t seem like all that big of a challenge, though it certainly narrows the opportunity field to a tight squeeze.

Willow, I really like your analogy of the actual vehicle being me, not just a car. And, what you had said about being attracted to what I?m attracted to, I?ve already downloaded several car-for-sale ads from our local newspaper?s website. The price spread covers a few different potential opportunities, including rent a heap for 50 bucks a week. There are options.

On a similar note, synchronicity knocks again. Two weeks ago, a couple of old business associates (I was their sales manager) took me to lunch. They are both successful reps for the local CBS TV affiliate. They had mentioned over lunch, that the old Cable Adnet group was having a reunion, and that I had to attend. I thought they were joking and so laughed it off. Then last Friday, I get a call from the rep in an adjacent market who was part of the old Adnet group. She said that she had heard I wasn?t planning on attending the reunion and was calling to say that I had no choice. They want to see me again. Well, this same friend/rep called my work on Monday, to find out that I was no longer there. She emailed me and said not to worry, just please attend the reunion, it wouldn?t be the same without me.. etc. I asked her to give me a day to think about it. I?ll be the only unemployed one, the only single/unattached one (read: no date) and generally feel like a serious loser.

After today?s 1-2-3 punch, I must seriously consider my ego. Dashed as its been, I know I can still love and commune with these old friends and associates of mine. We together, at least for a time, had the magic of true entrepanurial teamwork. Maybe something will come of it. Maybe I can play a creative role in their present life. This is something like the wandering holy man, isn?t it Willow? Don?t know how holy *chuckle* but I know I care about these people, and they obviously seem to care about me. Reason enough to attend.

Love,
~Candid

 

[dharma]

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), this is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occured. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." ~~W. H. Murray

.....

Not self-indulgent at all, Candid. A topic and issue that many of us deal with everyday. I'm sure many are grateful that you share your experience... because it helps to know that we are not alone in our struggles.

Dharma

 

[cheiron]

Morning Candid

I lost a job some two years ago? was managing a recruitment agency? hard fast and very mean work? totally wrong for me? jumped before I was pushed? I was very shocked at the impact it had on my confidence and ego? All those old lessons and feelings of failure we spoke of before came rushing forward and started gnawing away... Well that was me and not you? and you seem well on the ball with your ?ghosts??

I will tell you what you already know... there is always a path... also at times when we need to be moved to another place or field of change... we sometimes get dragged! It is for you to decide whether this might be the case and where you will apply your gifts... (Perhaps a more fruitful view than looking at problem solving)

However...

I asked the Yi last night? ?What of Candid ??

The response was Hx 50 Ting with top line changing.

In my sleepy state I felt I could not do it justice and wrote a different brief reply? but I strongly agree with what is being written in the thread? You have sagely gifts and qualities, a great clarity of the Yi and give so much to others?

From RJ Lynn:

?The Cauldron is a hexagaram concerned with the full realization of the potential in change. However if one allows change to proceed without control, chaos must be expected.?

Judgment:
Refers to the cauldrons purpose of being to nourish sages and worthies?

Top Yang:

?The cauldron has Jade lifters which means great good fortune. Nothing will fail to be fitting? the cauldron reaches perfection? it embodies hardness and strength yet treads the path of softness and compliance? even though this line is so high (at the top) it does not represent an overreacher.?

?Because such a one achieves regulated balance of strength and compliance, he is able to lift up that which is his responsibility. And because his response is free from partiality there are non which he does not lift up. ? Great good fortune.?

My friend I think this is referring to you?

Cheiron

 

[candid]

Dear Cheiron,

May your words (and Yi) still find me worthy of such an image. Its one thing to proclaim a truth, another to have such a truth be utilized, and yet another for ones very being to endure within that truth (32).

The Ting is only worth its use, even if the handles are of jade. And, it is only useable while it endures. One can only endure when the course is set in ones heart.

The earthly destination isn't very clear for me now. The watch must remain diligent and scan the horizon ceaselessly. What remains fixed is this inner hunger to fulfill a destiny *laughs softly* which doesn't even appear on the navigational charts.

To stand firm, holding the course, is the job of a helmsman. A helmsman rarely needs to make a decision. He receives his orders from the One who commands the deck. A qualified Skipper and an obedient helmsman ought to be enough to fulfill the mission.

A royal military Captain is an awesome individual to behold. Its as though he is shrouded in a cloak of secrets, known only to his Master, his Commander. He himself, isn't even allowed to see the full scale of the mission he leads. Yet, there's no hint of doubt in his eyes. The crew rarely sees him break a sweat, and despite his high rank, he remains reachable by the newest recruit.

A little sea tale:

After leaving submarine school, I was sent to a small holding port in Africa. Its was mid-summer there and the heat melted me. Being a new recruit, I had only two issues of white uniforms. The camp was overcrowded and getting a shot at the half dozen washing machines was like standing in line for the opening of Star Wars. In a word, I was horrid! I tried washing my few belongings by hand, which only made them appear more shoddy.

For two weeks there, I prayed to hear my name called to be shipped out to a real duty station, IE: ship. Finally, my name was called and I gathered together my sea bag, and dressed in the smelliest, grungiest and plain ole ugliest, used to be white uniform, and ran to the airport loading gate. The plane was full when I arrived, except for one seat right up front. No one sat in that seat because in the shared bench, was a full Navy Captain. The white of his uniform seemed to cleanse the entire crew. I stared at him in absolute horror! How can I, in this despicable condition, smelling like... well, I really stunk! Anyway, I had no choice and so timidly took a seat next to him, uttering a weak "good morning, Sir" then moving as far to the isle as the arm rest would allow. "Where you headed, sailor," he asked in a calm commanding voice? To the USS Hermitage, Sir.. I replied, a slight sense of self confidence entering me. "Oh really? Me too," he said matter-of-factly. This glowing leader of men was about to take command of the very ship I had just been assigned to. What a first impression I was making!

As the deck whistled his arrival, he walked up the ladder, saluted the ship's flag and went below to his quarters. I sleazed up the ladder, the Lieutenant glaring at me as I saluted and came aboard. It was an additional 3 days before my uniforms were finally clean. In the Navy, being a dirty mate is the equivalent of scurvy.

I served and grew under the leadership of this very same sea Captain for nearly two years. I was an E4 when he left for another command. During our countless hours together over many nights and days, during watch on the bridge, I learned little of the inner workings of this honorable man. But, I can't think of a man I've ever looked up to more than this sea Captain. He understood me at my very worst, yet treated me with respect. Me, with respect?!! He, a crisp, experienced and honorable Navy full Captain, respecting me, a smelly, disgraceful to the uniform I wore, under-seaman. Now there's a Cauldron of a man with rings of jade! (A dramatic difference from the Officer who degraded me for failing out of submarine school.)

Endurance is now the mission. I can do this, so long as the Captain I serve is trustworthy. I've concluded that he is. As we head out of port, I'm not privy to our destination. But when his voice rings, "right full rudder, set course to 290 degrees," I'll spin that wheel and steady the course. I trust my Captain.

Love,
Candid

 

[hilary]

Dear Candid and everyone,

I'm really sorry about my conspicuous absence of late. I've been embroiled in html and cgi and telnet (don't ask), trying to finish the technical side of setting up this course.

But I couldn't resist emerging for long enough to say this...

Candid, have you seen LiSe's version of Hexagram 32?
Even just the title?

Go here:
http://www.anton-heyboer.org/i_ching/yi_index.html
- and click through to #32.

Enjoy the reunion!

*disappearing back into the techno-pit*

 

[willow]

Finding Hilary's post will slip in ahead of mine...oh my, that title is amazing! looks like a great site! Go get that html!


Candid,

I would definitely go to the reunion! (Even if you feel like you're sleazing in, smelly, grungy, and used-to-be-white. Two small bowls, remember.)

Getting together with people who know you from a different time brings up pleasant stuff as well as unpleasant, and it's often stuff that can't be gotten at any other way. To me, it's sort of like the sense of smell. There are certain memories that never particularly clearly come to mind for me, and then, I catch a whiff of a certain smell, and I'm right there. I can think all I want about how I once worked in a salmon cannery and never access the essence of the experience. But with a whiff of raw fish, or heavy chlorine scent on water, wham!, I'm right there, know who I was, how I acted, what I valued.

Also, embodied support/contact seems like a good counterbalance to the support/contact of a place/group such as Clarity.

And, I wouldn't be so sure that you'll be regarded as a failure. Some of the ones who show up still embroiled in less-than-satisfying relationships and jobs may actually wish they were in your shoes. Some may treat you like the Captain did - respecting your sincerity, and seeing no need to address your apparent differences. Some may treat you like the glaring Lieutenant, but, oh well.


I love your wonderful young sailor story. One lesson I see in it is the difference in the reaction to your grunge of the Captain and the others. As you say, the Captain saw you at your worst, and treated you as a partner in the enterprise worthy of dignity and respect.

It seems to me that maybe he saw and respected your sincerity - two small bowls again. It was excruciating to you to not measure up. To another young sailor, it could have been just fine, or he could have attempted to mask his shortcomings with bravado or anger or surlyness.

I'm sure the Captain knew full well the conditions you had just come from, and as he sat there embodying the value that you had so blatantly fallen short of, he led with gentleness. (Lesson for me, contemplating #7.) The Lieutenant, at a different place in the heirarchy, felt compelled to assert the value by dramatizing his reaction to your shortcoming. What he showed as much as anything else was his Ego pride and Ego insecurity in his own accomplishment. (The captain, I'm sure, knew that the true difference between you two was that he had 12 uniforms and 57 assistants who had no trouble getting to washing machines.)

You commented that your current situation seems archtypical. Well, in the case of the sailor story, that is so archtypical too. What makes it so, to me, is how it came about that after 3 days on the ship you were clean. I'm sure you would have ended up clean anyway, just because there were shorter lines at the washing machines and glaring Lieutenants inspecting you, but you would have just been superficially clean.

What made you Clean in a way that was lastingly meaningful to you (and to me, reading the story) seems to come not from the external pressures, but from the combination of your own sincerity and the gentleness of the Great Man.

I think sincerity makes you an automatic Equal in any situation, and the revealing indicator of a Great Man is the perceptiveness to treat you as such.

As I write this, I realize it probably has usefulness related to that 5th line (the affinities part).

Well, back to my job I go, envying you your freedom (hee hee!), and appreciating the gifts I've received from reading your story and trying to work with it. Especially for helping me to better see some of the Captains in my life.

All the best today,

Willow

 

[candid]

*waves to Hilary in her techno-pit*

Thank you for that link. Before this morning, I've never made the association between 32 and holding a ship's course. LiSe's illustration is a strong affirmation of the vision. Equally fascinating is that "His dedication did not change, and it brought him what belongs to him, even if it did not make any sense rationally." I suppose that if he had pickled his lines and was kept busy catching eels, he might have never taken the time to notice the beauty of fishing boats and the harbor. What an enduring picture!

Willow, God willing, I'm going to the reunion. You, as usually, are right about how they'd see me. Some may wonder why... what the hell happened that caused me to fall from my relatively high rank. This amounts to an opportunity to teach and spin tales. Both, which are my heart's desire.

One further thought since we're on a roll, I've resented my age. Its been an obstacle to my progress. Its been (unwisely) said to my face, I think I'm going with a younger rep. They have more ambition and energy, etc. My older age has become my enemy, a factor which is a countervailing force. In fact, I'm actually in great shape for my age, and I lifted my weights to assure myself of that.

Now, I've heard most of the sentiments which express the benefits of being a mature man... but, come on... you know what I mean. *chuckle* Sean Conrey notwithstanding, getting older sucks in some ways. (pardon coarse language) And yes, I do appreciate the deeper benefits of real life experience, so I'm not totally undoing myself here.

There's that sense of being passed over. Man, that one can be a bear.. err umm, a boar. There's nothing that makes the hackles rise faster than having my gift to someone scorned. They don't have to pay me for it, but at least receive it, don't overlook it. Use it, preferably. The all important (human) usefulness of a well is that someone is drinking the water. If I?m not used, I?m useless. (Now Dharma, I know you may pick up on that one.. and I?m listening to you. If you feel I err on this last point, I?m open to stand corrected.)

Wonder if Yi goes through these changes still? According to Jung, he addressed Yi as any other entity and asked that it/he/she speak for itself. I also recall Supa relaying such an experience, as well. If I were to draw any similarity between Yi and Jesus, I could rightfully say, there?s no suffering or circumstance which they were unacquainted with. That sure would add more common sense to karma. Having to live through something in order to have heart-compassion with another who is going through it. Its not just theoretical anymore at that point. Therein is the treasure of maturity.

But it is as you each say. Thank you for being voices of angels.. of sanity.. and of self respect.


~Candid

 

[alisa]

Candid,

The bottom line when it comes to marketing is SALES. It shouldn't matter if you're 10 years old or 100 years old. You simply play Up your experience and down your age. Experience is far more valuable than the no experienced youth.

Getting a car (asap) will help you stay motivated. When I first came to CA from VA, I had no car, no money and no job. No job because I had no transportation. One day I saw this car parked on the street with a sign in the window: For sale, $100. Ha ha, I thought. It was a 73 Toyota Corolla. Ugly, but ran good. My sister loaned me the $100 and I drove the thing for 3 years! Embarrassing to drive it, but it got me to where I needed to go.

Just buy an old klunker to get you around town and go for interviews or whatever you need to do. Unless you live in the city, almost impossible to be without a car.

 

[candid]

Hi Alisa,

Have you ever read, Death of a Salesman, or seen the movie rendition. Its not a pretty story or picture, though it too often becomes the reality of the old pro competing in a hostile environment. My brother is 6 years my senior and still beating the bricks to stay alive.

Its not what I want to do, no passion for it anymore. One school says, hey.. thems the breaks. Who said you're supposed to enjoy your work? The other says, follow your dream. Awaken the real potential... the best of the best of everything you're worth. That's the only path I know and the only one I can stick with. Its just who I am.

You're right about a vehicle though. It really is an all around necessity in this part of the country.

Right now, I'm quite literally going with the flow and doing what I can to stay clear of and yet deal with 28, which I got this morning over it all.

A couple here from Clarity have privately encouraged me to write. I've been thinking about that allot during these last 24 hours. Right now, I'm seeking perspective on it, even more than subject content. The Zen of Motorcycle Maintenance sold very well, though it was mainly a lesson on attitude and perspective. A unique perspective which could teach without "teaching," is what I'm looking for. A forum like Clarity, provides constant stimulus because you are interacting with other people's thoughts and personalities. There's a real sense of community. Writing a book is usually a solo project.

Of course, a collaboration is always a possibility. I've pondered the potential of that from those here. But to be candid, each one of us is sort of a control freak in our own way. It comes with the territory of being driven to make the most of each potential.

The magic happens when we match task with talent. Its not a question of whether we can be successful or not. Its a question of finding the task to apply our talent to.

When fate brings together individuals with different talents, great things can happen. We see that here at Clarity almost every day. Different perspectives which edify the collective group, the whole dang bunch of us Looney-tunes!

What I appreciate especially about you, Alisa, is that your perspective is young and fresh. You just step right up and say what's on your mind. That adds your own unique dimension to each and every one of us who touches mind-heart with you. Its also an integral part of the whole. That's the kind of magic I'm referring to.

If the magic can be skillfully channeled, focused on a particular and tangible goal, that vision gains animation and a life form all its own. (just like Yi)

Love,
Candid

 

[alisa]

A unique perspective which could teach without "teaching," is what I'm looking for.

A unique way to teach Zen. To teach without teaching. I like it.

wu wei on 28 says:

If the teacher's words and conduct are not in accord with his teaching, the student may fail to credit lesson with validity, and the teaching may not have any beneficial effect upon him. It is also true that the failure of the student is the failure of the teacher, and whichever one discounts that lesson is as far off the track as the other.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What I appreciate especially about you, Alisa, is that your perspective is young and fresh. You just step right up and say what's on your mind

And I appreciate knowing you appreciate that.
It's been more a vice than a virtue...so I'm still learning!

 

[candid]

Ain't we all!

 

[cheiron]

Hi Dharma

Another one from the well

You quoted:

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), this is
one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless
ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely
commits oneself, then providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never
otherwise have occured. A whole stream of events issues from
the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of
unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance,
which no man could have dreamt would have come his way."
~~W. H. Murray

I realy liked it... touched a chord in me... seen it so ofeten never had the words.

Thanks (Chuckling with pleasure)

Cheiron

 

[dharma]

Hello Cheiron,

This particular quote impressed me greatly the first time I encountered it, and it has played a major role in the way I see and have lived my life ever since.

It continually reminds me that every deliberate step I take towards my hopes and dreams on my own, however far-fetched, that Life will meet them in some definite way and at some point, thus validating its most fundamental truth about living life in this dimension. I've never been disappointed, either....the theory of it is marvelous but in practice it is moreso astounding because it really does work.

Dharma

 

[heylise]

I had no time lately to work on my website, so several things have to be updated. One of them is the name of hex.41. It is an empty cauldron with a hand next to it, not a grasping one but a hand-palm. I found its meaning in Ricci (great Chinese dictionary): it is an offering hand. So the character means: offering, but having nothing to offer. Usually the act of offering and the result are both in the meaning of the character, so here it is probably the need to sacrifice, because one needs something very badly ? but not having the means to ?pay? for it.
The judgment says: ?nothing-to-offer being true: very auspicious. No fault. The Zhen is permitted?. Zhen is usually translated as perseverance, but it is also an offering and at the same time the answer of the gods. This answer has to be followed, that is where the perseverance comes from: if one hears the gods speak, one cannot do anything else but listen to them. If your truth is genuine, the gods will listen, they will answer, you will find what you need.
I don?t think 41 is a negative hexagram, on the contrary. It is just that being true is often not easy.

Hex.28 is crossing a mountain pass. It gives advice about how to cope with the big transits in life. The ridgepole is the older person, bending over now, and having to choose if he will become an old man or a grand old man. Or, in other situations, if one will adapt and make the best of a situation, or make a grand new beginning.

I can only say: be true, do nothing at all to adapt, but find all kinds of ways to survive this time, and find your real self. A life which is you and nothing else. It is the most valuable thing anyone can reach, but there are so very few people who manage to.
Alisa?s little post was a very good one, about the car for $100! Apply this same advice to other things: find food where it costs nothing, things like that.

I think you got hex.1 to tell you to be yourself, the whole yourself and nothing but yourself.

LiSe

 

[candid]

Thank you, LiSe!

Everything you said resonates within. This is exactly the situation I'm in! Its good to hear the plain truth from without because sometimes, there's an awful lot of doubt. I've been with nothing before, in fact have had less. This isn't such a terrible and unfixable mess. Be true, Yi has said, you have food and a bed.

Bless you, LiSe.
~Candid