Some weeks don't rock, learning from children and focusing on the positive

We have two girls (Ilana - 7) and (Ahava - 5) and they have taught me a few things. Our boy (Ariyeh - 1) doesn't quite speak yet, although he does manage to make his intentions known, they are not very bloggable.

Ilana and Ahava have much to say though and often the observations of the young can be very thought provoking for the mere adult. One of the things that I know well about my girls is their love of rocks. Suitors beware - it seems the admiration of shiny rocks is instilled quite early in young girls and has many years to settle in before she even dreams you're out there somewhere trying to find her. I am not sure if this is a nature or nurture effect. If my Wife is taking the girls off to secret meetings where the female group think is dutifully instilled, I expect I'll never know about it. Perhaps there-in lies the truth of all of these gymnastics, swimming and music classes I keep hearing about but see no evidence of except in my cheque book. Anyhow, I digress...

Back to the rocks. Any rock along the way when we walk down the street or through the park can cause a 15 minute delay to our itinerary. And just try explaining why they should not be picked up and carried on the Sabbath, never mind pilfering the especially nice polished white ones that people buy to accent their lawns. Yes - people buy rocks. To put on the ground. Really. I first realized the absurdity of this only when I had to explain to my girls that they shouldn't be taking rocks from private property (any day of the week). You might not have seen this if you are a concrete jungle native but all sorts of strange happenings go on in suburbia. Unfortunately, I did not learn this valuable lesson until after I once bought some rocks for our garden...

These rocks can be quite hazardous as they accumulate, with accompanied sedimentation debris, in the pockets of sweaters and pants. There must be some lawyer jargon about voiding warranties of laundry machines that are subjected to such abuse - parents beware, read those warranties carefully, and always remember to check your childrens' pockets. Suggesting disposal of any rock, no matter its particular characteristics is sacrilege. How many times I've heard - "But it's precious to me". Just yesterday, Ahava proudly entered my basement office and made a glorious presentation of a sparkly white rock to me. I cherish it because I know how much it means to her and she decided to give it to me. Perhaps she did so because she could sense that I was having a week that "doesn't rock".

I've had weeks that rocked before. I can't define the parameters, but I am familiar enough with the passing of weeks and rocking to be able to tell the difference between a week that rocks and one that does not.

This week does not rock...

I say that while staring through tears at a computer monitor whose image I hope is not distorted as badly as my vision is currently perceiving it. Why the tears? Apparently, a side effect of a pink eye infection I've had since Sunday. Today I went back to the Doctor and was prescribed a stronger anti-bacterial eye drop solution which he assured me would have no beneficial effect. Come again? Yup. I think it's viral, he tells me. So why the anti-bacterial drops? I can only guess it has something to do with standard malpractice insurance claim avoidance techniques. George Carlin could have been onto something when he said, referring to Doctors: "They don't know what their doing, it's all guesswork in a white coat."

What about all the aches, pains, headache, fatigue, sore throat etc...? It seems the pink eye was the first expression of a peripheral viral infection, the troops have reinforced their ranks and are now mounting an offensive on the capital city. So Doc - what should I do about all this? "Wait" he says. It will go away. Take some cold medication to mask the symptoms.

How often do we do that? Take cold medication to mask the symptoms. Some practice "retail therapy" or procrastinate tasks they would rather not do at the moment. Others attempt to evade (knowingly or not) the spiritual root that is masked by the illusory facade of our perceived physical existence. Of course, I never do those things, at least not all in one day. Hey - there's a reason I married a therapist, and it's not just for her Mother's authentic Hungarian cooking :)

But then - my quest to document the events of this week that doesn't rock is interrupted. Ahava is at a birthday party and it would be good if I could go pick her up. "No problem" I say, hoping I have not gone overboard with the cold medication and can still operate a car reasonably well.

Once there, I am regaled with stories of chicken dancing and other activities my daughter enjoyed at her birthday party. The loot bag takes centre stage on the drive home as I hear about all the goodies in it. I think about how mere adults can learn from children and allow myself an immersion into her childish glee. I am reminded of a very potent parable: "This too shall pass".

So remember, some weeks will rock and others may not, but in the end it is up to us to focus our daily thoughts, speech and actions to make the most of the time we have by changing the world for the better, as we are each uniquely capable of doing - one bit at a time, rather than merely masking the symptoms of evil.

The invading hordes (viral and other) will then have no recourse but to flee in the face of our positive energy, and we just might discover they never actually existed in the first place.

Here's hoping your week will rock. By focusing on the things that matter, mine is improving already.

Michael.