Stop Looking at It as A Battle

This month’s message is a simple, yet precious, little story about how we look at things can make all the difference.

I live in a 110-unit condominium building. There is a wonderful sense of community in this building. In part, because of numerous community-based initiatives going on in and around the building. One of these initiatives is an old-fashioned composting program. This composting program uses discarded, raw fruits and vegetables, and other compostable matter, to create rich soil additive for the gardens around the property. The program has been a tremendous success for the community, and even some of the wildlife.

One of the wildlife benefactors of this program is the local squirrel population. The squirrels have easy access to the bin contents via air vents that they have widened to aid in their access and exit from the bins. I have tried plugging up the holes in the past, but the squirrels are very adept at undoing whatever efforts I make to block the holes. Years ago, I decided I liked the idea the squirrels could avail themselves of the fresh produce in the bins, especially during the cold winter months, as it provided a dependable food source for them.

This season, however, the squirrels have been making their presence known more than usual. Often, the squirrels choose to excavate a significant portion of the bin contents outside the bin, leaving mounds of compost strewn around the base of the bins. On the days I discover the squirrels mischievous behavior, there are typically several squirrels perched on branches in the trees above the bins, gazing down at me.

When I’m in a playful mood, I will talk to them. I’ll tell them I’m glad they are enjoying the compost deposits but ask them if they could mind their manners a little better so as not to leave so much leftover outside the bins. Sometimes, the squirrels will peer down at me, squawking at me, twitching their tails, chattering away. I’ll often carry on my exchange with them—as I pick up the mess—treating them like they know full well what I am saying. It’s become a bit of a playful game between me and the squirrels. Surely, if anyone was watching the scene from afar, they would want me committed!

Earlier this week I ran into a community member at the compost bins. She was making a deposit of some compostable material. We got to chatting and the topic of the local squirrel community came up. I shared my experience above with her. We both laughed and she said to me…

“You know, when we stop looking at it as a battle, we can begin to look at it as a circus.” We both roared laughing.

I walked away from the exchange with a profound sense of gratitude for the gracious exchange and the endearing pearl of wisdom offered me. While the little jewel was offered in the context of the playful times I was sharing with the squirrels, I was very aware how far-reaching this little wisdom saying has in our daily lives.

How often do we approach life as a battle? A confrontation, an argument, an upset, a long-held grievance against a colleague, friend, or family member. There is no end to the litany of battles we wage on an ongoing basis.

But what opportunities are there to turn these battles into something we can laugh at and have fun with?

Robert Meagher has been ordained as an Interfaith Minister and certified as a Sacred Attention Therapy (SAT) Therapist. Robert is the Founder and Spiritual Director for Spiritual Guidance and Co-Founder of the Center for Human Awakening.