Wk 3 Reading - Post 1 - The Way Things Are

Photo provided by Microsoft Clip Art Gallery.

I love the idea of just being with the way things are and not complaining about it. Sometimes things are not within our control, and we just have to go with it. Rather than fighting it, and letting it bring us down, we can just go with it. Complaining about the way things are does absolutely nothing except make everyone more miserable. And it is so true that often when teachers or others get together talk tends to spiral down, and the complaining begins. Instead we can strive to be with the way things are, and have a positive attitude. Are there things we can change? Then do it. But complaining will get us nowhere.

Being with the way things are brings up an interesting question. Are we allowing expectations to lower by doing this? I believe this is definitely a personal question. I think I am somewhere in between. I know at times that I say like the cow, "this is the way things are. Accept it." But I think like the duck, "This stinks!" I know that I can often use this as an excuse though. Sometimes it is easy to say, "This is the way it is. Deal with it." Sometimes I have to do that, but many times I can look for a way to improve on the situation. I think it is important to constantly be evaluating where I am. Am I lowering expectations by dealing with the way things are? Or am I looking for a way to improve things? This chapter had many thinking points this week, and I will enjoy the process of examining the way things are and seeing my reactions, as well as the reactions of others.