I wrote in a previous post that I have these little phrases that help change my mind state and put me back to my usual curious, engaged, and generally happy self. My favourite of these is taken from a delightful book on Taoism.
I was gifted the Tao of Pooh years ago by my mum.
The book takes the concept of Taoism and explains it simply through Winnie The Pooh. This short book gradually altered how I viewed a lot of the world, so much so that I all but forced multiple friends to read it in the hopes that they’d also find the same value in it that I had.
So what’s the phrase?
Well, let me set the scene:
“Say, Pooh, why aren’t you busy?” I said. “Because it’s a nice day,” said Pooh. “Yes, but…”
“Why ruin it?” he said.
“But you could be doing something Important,” I said.
“I am,” said Pooh.
“Oh? Doing what?”
“Listening,” to the birds. And that squirrel over there.” “What are they saying?” I asked.
“That it’s a nice day,” said Pooh.
“Well, you could be spending your time getting Educated by listening to the Radio, instead,” I said.
“That thing?”
“Certainly. How else will you know what’s going on in the world?” I said.
“By going outside,” said Pooh,
“Er . . . well. . . .” (Click.) “Now just listen to this, Pooh.”
“Thirty thousand people were killed today when five jumbo airliners collided over downtown Los Angeles . . . ,” the Radio announced.
“What does that tell you about the world?” asked Pooh.
“Hmm. You’re right.” (Click.)
“What are the birds saying now?” I asked. “That it’s a nice day,” said Pooh.
– The Tao Of Pooh, Benjamin Hoff
A while after reading this, I developed a kind of “call and response” with a very dear friend, George.
When one of us starts to get stressed or annoyed by something, the other says “What are the birds saying?” And the reply “That it’s a nice day” brings an unmatched level of calm.
It reminds the replier to return to the present moment, look around, and recognise that it truly is a nice day, and that is especially true when you’re with a good friend.
The utility of this phrase in bringing me internal calm is hard to understate.
This short little back and forth has pulled me down from a lot of bridges. So much so, that over time I’ve even learnt to say it to myself when I see my mind drifting down a darker path, particularly necessary considering the frequency that George changes location.
I was reminded to use phrase a few days back when I found myself focused on something that was entirely irrelevant and not making me happy.
Because of how wonderful things have been recently [*touch wood, long may it continue], the phrase had very nearly slipped out of my mind and I wanted to ensure this would never even *nearly* happen again… So I now have it tattooed on my arm.
My own crude handwriting, a couple of birds and little sunset drawn onto my forearm, reminding me that it’s a nice day.
Quotes I’m vibing with rn:
To do the big things, you have to let the small bad things happen – Tim Ferriss
If you wish to be loved, love– Seneca
If you can change it, why worry? If you can’t change it why worry?. – Dalai Llama XIV (majorly paraphrased)
Favourite song for now:
Sumb Luck 