It finally clicked. From being a student of the Bible for years to studying Buddhism, it took Steve Godin's Linchpin to get me to understand the importance of non-attachement.
When I lived overseas, I had no expectations. Life was a constant adventure. I was starting over. I had no choice but to accept whatever came up. I was flexible and I rolled with the punches. I felt as if I had lost everything which precipitated my move to the Netherlands, that I had nothing to lose and I wanted to trust in...God, the Lord, Life Force, Spirit, call it what you want.
Acceptance
Enjoyment
Enthusiasm
When I returned home, life was so good here, that I see now how I became attached to my home, my surroundings, the people who populated my life (usually a very good thing) , my work, my job location (just a few yards from the house).
If and when something threatened to upset the life I had created for myself here, I became stressed and inflexible. I focused all of my attention on safeguarding the status quo instead of accepting that life happens and that sometimes circumstances change. Somewhere along the way OCD kicked in.
So what can I learn from all of this?
I know that I don't want to live this decade (my fifties) like I lived the last one.
Now, when I feel that I'm about to go in circles checking things, I tell myself that I'd rather be doing my art than OCDing. It helps me shift out of brainlock sooner.
Keeping a gratitude list is also helpful, but only if you take away the focus from being attached to the things for which you are grateful. Life can turn on a dime. All I can do is prepare as best as I can without going overboard, keep on cultivating a spirit of trust and gratitude in all circumstances.
Relearn to accept
Give thanks
Enjoy
Be flexible
Be enthusiastic
Give praise and love
