Richer life? Drop resistance
to cleaning the basement.
Most of us have a quest for more — especially a longer life.
I’ve noticed that most people couch it as I can’t die while I still need to care for this person, whoever it is.
I tend to express it as I can’t die while I’m in the midst of this project, whatever it is.
I’ve heard spiritual teachers say that what we all really want is not necessarily a longer life, but a richer life. Meaning — one gloriously rich moment is enough.
I have, very occasionally, gotten a taste of this. One moment when everything is present.
There’s plenty of advice on the internet for how to eat better, or exercise better, or take supplements, in order to have a longer life.
How can we have a richer life? Could it be a lack of resistance?
This morning, I thought my wife would forget that we had marked this day to clean the basement. I had much more important things to do. But she remembered. I know my life will be richer today if I let go of my resistance to cleaning the basement.
I hope you acted surprised when your wife reminded you about the chore. This way you could avoid her suspicion that you knew it and hoped to dodge it. This is among my most well-worn tactics.