THE UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE



Two sailors ran into each other in a pub. Over a few beers, one of the men told the other about his last voyage: "After a month at sea," he said, "we discovered our masts had been eaten through by termites! Almost nothing left of them."

"That's terrible," said the second sailor.

"That's what I thought at first too," the first sailor said, "but it turned out to be good luck. As soon as we took the sails down to fix the masts, we were hit by a squall so suddenly and so hard, it would surely have blown us over if our sails were up at the time."

"How lucky!"

"That's exactly what I thought at the time, too. But because our sails were down, we couldn't steer ourselves, and because of the wind, we were blown onto a reef. The hole in the hull was too big to fix. We were stranded."

"That is bad luck indeed."

"That's what I thought, too, when it first happened. But we all made it to the beach alive and had plenty to eat. But now here's the real kicker: While we were on the island whining about our terrible fate, we discovered a buried treasure!"

As this story illustrates, you don't know if an event is "good" or "bad" except maybe in retrospect, and even then you don't really know because life keeps going. The story's not over yet. Just because something hasn't turned out to be an advantage yet doesn't mean it is not ever going to.

Therefore, you can simply assume whatever happens is "good." I know that sounds awfully airy-fairy, but it's very practical. If you think an event is good, it's easy to maintain a positive attitude. And your attitude affects your health, it affects the way people treat you and how you treat others, and it affects your energy level. And those can help pave the way for things to turn out well. A good attitude is a good thing. And a bad attitude does you no good at all.

So get in the habit of saying "That's good!" Since you don't know for sure whether something will eventually work to your advantage or not, you might as well assume it will. It is counterproductive to assume otherwise. Think about it. If someone ahead of you in line at a store is slowing everything down, say to yourself, "That's good!" They may have saved you from getting into an accident when you get back in your car. Or maybe, because you slowed down, you might meet a friend you would have missed. You never know.

The truth is, life is uncertain. And even that can work to your advantage.

Adam Khan
From his book "Self-Help Stuff That Works"

  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 14:27

I LOVE the theater!

Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) from North America.  The mythology of the bluebird of happiness has deep roots that go back thousands of years. Indigenous cultures across the globe hold similar myths and beliefs about the bluebird. It is a widely accepted symbol of cheerfulness, happiness, prosperity, hearth and home, good health, new births, the renewal of springtime, etc. Virtually any positive sentiments may be attached to the bluebird. (wikipedia)

Have you ever had a bluebird visit you?  Maybe he even built a nest in your tree (is it the hes or shes that build the nests)?  In our former home we had a bluebird family who spent their spring and summer with us every year.  The tree in the backyard was theirs.  They would allow other birds, mostly wrens and sparrows, a few spots on the lower branches but about halfway up the tree was theirs and, make no mistake, they weren't about to share it!

Now, I know that bluebirds are supposed to be good luck.  There are songs written about bluebirds and happiness.  They're reported to be a sign of new life and prosperity.  I love to see them sit in my lilac bush outside my window.  They sing to me in the morning as the sun is rising in the sky and I love listening to them.

But have you ever had one (or two or three) that kind of scares you?  Our bluebirds at the old place were beautiful to look at and listen to, but if we stepped foot in the yard, they would swoop down at us and, in no uncertain terms, let us know that our presence was NOT appreciated!  They would even chase the little boys from next door.  On many occasions I would hear the boys screaming as that crotchety old bird (I'm assuming he was crotchety and old) chased those boys from my yard.  Try as I might, I couldn't 'make peace' with those birds.

So, how do birds like that get the reputation of happiness and hope?  Was it just my experience that created this question for me?  No, others have shared their 'psycho-bluebird' stories with me, so I am certain that there is something we're missing here. Maybe bluebirds are like people.  Maybe, depending on the day, they get cranky and disillusioned.  Or maybe, as they age, they just don't care so much.  But maybe they're more like we humans than we realize. 

Is it possible that, like humans, the bluebirds are fearful that someone or something is going to take what they believe is theirs?  As I watch these beautiful birds in my bushes, they have let the little squirrel (who also thinks he owns my yard and trees) know that he'd better find other accommodations (and he has moved across the street...for now).  Isn't it sad that they can't find a way to live and work together?  Perhaps they just know, instinctively, that everything will work better if they stay apart.  I'm sure that I don't have the answer to this question, whether we're talking about birds and squirrels or humans.  But they are certainly questions that I ponder as I sit here watching the "drama" in my front yard play out. 

One thing I DO know...I'm staying out of it!  I'll just sit here and watch from the safety of my window and contemplate life's mysteries.  It's great theater...and I love the theater!