Projects
I live in a never-ending succession
of projects that seem, like my sitting,
busy, intense, and distracted, with angst.
Today's project is to dig a long trench
to bury the wiring for new driveway lights.
I take shortcuts, but it's still a great pain.
My prior busy projects in landscaping
were not rewarded or satisfying
except to please my wife, I guess.
My projects at work seem overly busy.
My emotional involvement
is to stay employed, or get ahead, I guess.
It would be nice if there were
something of value in projects
to justify the effort, and pain.
Perhaps I should realize that my activity
is not so much needed or painful progress
as it is an oppportunity for practicing mindfulness.
Thich Nhat Hahn sugggests that in mindful aimlessness
there is peace, happiness, and love
in responding without thought of personal accomplishment
with through compassion to others feelings, reflecting actual needs.
Back to Right Effort
Basic Buddhist guidelines are listed in my Buddhism in a Nutshell
Back to Preface
Back to Mind and Meditation