My landlord back in Vermont became a friend over the 5 years that I rented from him. He had a workshop and an office on my property and was just an easygoing, likable guy.
He's got multiple properties and a remodeling business, a classic landlord configuration. One day we got to talking about taxes, and I said something about how he must worry about an audit.
Au contraire.
His body language opened, he leaned back in his chair and spread his hands. He had a big, easy smile on his face.
"Nah. The IRS comes, it's 'come on in and sit down.' It's just another negotiation."
I think of this often, when I find myself getting underneath the "powers" of the world. These structures can seem so big and scary and oppressive, but they're exactly as powerful as I make them. Fighting them wastes my energy, and the more I want to do and have and be in this world, the more efficiently I must tune my practices of maintenance, my harmony with the structures that ARE.
Like the FasTrak invoice on my desk this morning, BRIGHT RED—URGENT, VIOLATION!!
It's seemingly designed to bring fear and angst into my nervous system over $14 I knew I'd be paying when I crossed those bridges.
Not today. I pay it in peace and reflect on the sweet times with my friends from that trip. The toll is just one other cost of that experience—shall I resent or appreciate?
Discussion about this post
No posts