Overflow

I love the story about the Zen monk who is visited by an eager, would be student. This young man has traveled many miles to see the monk and has many questions. The monk listens as the questions pour forth, but he says nothing. The student becomes irked, then annoyed, then frustrated as his teacher continues to sit in silence

Finally, the teacher says "Pour me a cup of tea and I will tell you when to stop."

The student begins pouring - and pouring - and pouring. The tea fills the cup, flows over the edge and over the table.

Exasperated the student says "Can't you see that the cup is full?!"

"And so it is with you," says the teacher. "Your mind is full of too many things. Only when it is empty will there be room for more."

The image of an overflowing tea cup appeared in my mind this afternoon. I looked at my list of "to-dos" - 18 items all in need of urgent attention. I wondered if they were important or just urgent. After some debate with myself I looked and my children and knew what what I needed to do. I emptied my cup.

Two hours later, here is what had made it back into my cup:

Helping my four year old son shoot baskets with a beach ball

Going for a walk - adjusting our pace so my 20 month old daughter could walk beside us.

Stopping at the park we usually hurry past because we are too busy.

Watching my daughter walk through the grass in light blue overalls, a yellow t-shirt and sunshine in her rag-a-muffin hairdo.

Helping my son with the monkey bars.

At the end of the day, seven of the 18 suspended items got done. They say there is a time for everything. In my life everything seems to need attention right NOW and I overflow into an unnecessary mess.

Have I learned my lesson? Not likely. But I hope I am a step closer.