Appreciation of Simply Living

 In this past month, I have been heavily involved in projects at my work, with so little time to simply let myself be: whether it's just lying on the bed, or enjoying a coffee, or having a walk. In our Buddhist study class tonight, we talked about the idea that contemplating the body and sensations are different levels are actually ways that we can enjoy having a body. Every time we take a breath, we have an opportunity to really appreciate that we have this breath. But I don't think that this thought I am describing is that easy to experience; in fact, it sounds too polly-annish, and I want people to think of it more as a way of being than an attitude toward something. It's not about being attached, but about seeing something as impermanent and therefore worth cherishing for what it is. Having a body to live within is indeed a very lucky occurrence, and it requires the utmost appreciation to enjoy that. But the only way to enjoy, is to really let go: of comparisons, of trying to be the "best" (whatever that is), or trying to achieve security at all costs. These thoughts revolve around trying to protect a fragile sense of self that has nothing to do with one's breath and one's life.