Impermanence
In Vietnam we use lunar calendar. Each month we have two most important days – the first and the fifteenth. A day before we will go to the market and choose the most beautiful flowers and fresh fruits to offer to our ancestors. For us, those two days each month is a time to express our gratitude toward our ancestors and higher power for all the blessings.
I never understood the meaning behind those flowers and fruits. I only see my mom’s dedication when choosing and arranging them. And for my Dad, that’s the most important act that I never dare to do perfunctorily.
When I grow up and care enough to learn about Buddhist philosophy, about my culture’s customs and habits, I started to understand the reason behind.
Flower, today it is beautiful, tomorrow it withers. Its beauty doesn’t last.
It represents impermanence. The impermanence of life. Today we are sad, tomorrow we are happy. Today is a sunny day, tomorrow storm might come. Things keep changing and nothing is permanent. That’s what flowers we offer to our ancestors teach us about life.
Fruits, if yesterday we didn’t sow a seed, if we didn’t water it everyday and nurture with love, we wouldn’t have had the fruits today.
It teaches us the law of cause and effect. As you sow so shall you reap.
Why are we, as human beings, are so anxious and have so much to worry about? Partly because we are trying to fight the reality – that things are changing and will always be out of our control.
Cultivating a sustained life and career requires us to expect the unexpected.
Career development, or life, is not all about sitting down and map a detailed plan. Most of the work is to reset your mindset. That is the best baggage we can prepare for our life long journey.
