Mud Wrestling

This week, a chapel attendant pointed out a situation she had just witnessed and how she was offended on my behalf. I looked at her and gently pointed out that I hadn’t noticed. I was totally unaware and in my loving bubble, delivering a ceremony, and to me, even when I was aware, I didn’t view it as an offence.

Pondering on this later, I realised how a simple choice I made over a decade ago had grown and evolved.

I choose not to wrestle with most people. Others have their opinions and perspectives, and I applaud their freedom to hold them. It doesn’t mean I have to start wrestling with them if I hold a different view. If I get into others’ mud and wrestle to validate my opinions and perspectives, I get splattered and more often than not, nothing changes. Also, not only do I get splattered, but everyone nearby gets splattered, too.

Some people love wrestling for the sake of it, and they thrive on getting down and dirty in the mud. There isn’t enough washing detergent in the world to remove the muddy muck you’re left with after a wrestling bout with a soul like this. The longer you choose to wrestle with them, the greater the stains.

If it is a calm, quiet debate or discussion, where everyone is listening, then count me in.

The greatest gift we hold is our inner peace, and it is the greatest gift we can give.

Behaviour is a language, and we always have a choice in how we respond. We can smile gently, say something non-inflammatory, change the subject, or make an excuse and vote with our feet. Anything that means we don’t step into the mud. There are a myriad of choices available.

There was a popular saying in the 80s or 90s, I forget which decade,

‘Don’t sweat the small stuff.’

The opinions people hold of you are theirs, and none of your business.

Most stuff is small stuff.

I recall a wonderful soul I used to work with in an august organisation in the City of London, when asked his opinion on one of his colleagues. Said colleague was a force to be reckoned with, and he’d enter a room or discussion, talking loudly and fiercely, and splattering everyone, at length, with his opinions. Then march off, with no discussion or debate, and with no quarter given to anyone who tried to wrestle in his mud.

My lovely friend responded,

‘Stay quiet and listen. It’s just a performance without substance, and he is not interested in anyone else’s opinion. Save yourself the bother.’

🩷

Inner Peace
By Joshua Fraser

The wind whistles past my ears.
Closing my eyes, I lose all my fears.
The waves crash into the rocks.
Out here, there is no time on my clock.

The serenity I feel here just soothes my mind.
A peaceful day so hard to find.
The breeze just calms my soul.
Helps me think about what is my life’s goal.

I then look out over the ocean,
And it feels like my life has lost its commotion.
The sun sets down over the clouds.
But the orange glow around makes me proud.

As the night draws near.
I feel like where I need to be is here.
The soothing nature this afternoon brings
Just feels like such a beautiful thing.

I sit and wonder where life will go,
But right now, all I want is for time to slow.
To enjoy this moment and feel free,
To clear my mind and find some glee.

It’s days like these I truly treasure.
Amazing nights and beautiful weather.
It may not seem like much.
But it’s moments like these I want to clutch.

For once, I feel like life is bliss.
So many hard days in which my happiness was missed.
I could get lost listening to the waves.
Listening to the birds and watching how the clouds behave.

I could close my eyes and fade into the night.
The tranquillity I feel helps me win the fight.
As the waves keep crashing into the rocks,
I feel the happiness in my heart become unlocked.

The day is drawing to a close.
The peacefulness I feel right now, I’ll only know.
Right now, my mind is finally clear.
It’s time to go as the night draws near.

🩷