This morning, Friday, the 27th of November I began my day very routinely and thankful that I had no need to engage in black Friday shopping. The older I get, the fewer gifts I purchase and those gifts I do get I can either order on line or I can bake something. I am at the age where most people I know need very little and want even less. Even my son who is well into his adult years enjoys the freedom of a gift certificate or a check. Other friends enjoy small gift which have a short shelf life such as something which can be ate or drank. They certainly do not want anything which has to be moved, eventually disposed of or dusted. Certainly I am most appreciative of a gift which is thoughtful, but which requires little to no care! Giving backed goodies is another favorite of mine. When possible I like to deliver those on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. Occasionally, I deliver them on New Year’s day. Most of my friends who come from a variety of religious or spiritual frameworks. Those for whom Christmas is a religious holiday are long past thinking that that Jesus cares the perfect gift or the room decorations in which we practice how to love.
At any rate, I did morning email and text messages while I enjoyed a cup of coffee before heading to the gym for my morning workout. I then headed to greet the neighbors – a lovely group of people who have morning coffee and/or also have their office at one of the tables a Panera’s. We are not among those who rent very upscale Panera or Starbuck’s like space which may have a little more privacy and space. We are perfectly grateful to be getting space for the price of a cup of coffee (actually a refill sicne I a cup my own cup which is cheaper ) and possible a pastry or breakfast sandwich.
After reading the paper and eating a breakfast sandwich I settle down to respond to email before beginning to work on the bog which I write daily. This morning one of the early emails related to a change in time for a medical appointment in Pittsburg. I open the calendar on the computer only to discover that I cannot enter anything because there is a word document whicht taken my calendar hostage. Nothing I do to gently or more forcefully return the work document to its proper room or to eliminate it from my document files works. Soon I am determined to force what I soon come to view as the bully back to its room. Since I am at Panera’s I cannot openly assume my best drill sergeant voice to order the recalcitrant, arrogant, obviously spiritually challenged bully to back out of the calendar room and respectfully and contritely return to its own room. Still, I am convinced that my silent sending of my electrical impulses will make it obvious to the document that I am a person who means business and, thus, a person to be obeyed. After all, I am a very kind and good man who is only interested in what is best for Mr. Calendar and Mr. Document. My concerns have nothing to do with my need to hold on the illusion of having some control over something. I am, after all, a graduate student in spirituality. I know about Step 1 of the 12 step program to which I am quick to refer many struggling with addiction. Why just recently did I not write a separate, long blog on each of the 12 steps and on the honestly, open mindedness, and willingness which is necessary for spiritual growth. I am well practiced in “letting go and letting God”. Really? Surely I am not having these very arrogant and self righteous thoughts. Well, yes, there is that other principle of humility – of accepting that we are all in the process of moving one step forward and two backward in terms of spiritual growth. Still…
Darn! I can either spend another two hours “proving” that I am more powerful that this this stubborn, self centered word document or I can come to terms with the fact that I need help. It is now 9:30 and I have been wrestling with this issue for over two hours. Reluctantly and a little more humbly I pack up the laptop and head to Tampa to the Apple store where I am greeted by one of those Apple shirted children who I am sure should be sitting in Mrs. Shepherd’s 4th grade class. Soon one of these children have assigned me to a stool at the genius bar. It is not long before another physically large child (they are all much larger than me) is quizzing me about the reason I am there. He very nicely takes charge and lets Mr. Document know that he is not putting up with any more nonsense. Well, apparently Mr. Document is deaf, blind and stupid. It should be apparently this man can take Mr. Document and toss him completely out of the computer. I mean, after all, this is a young man build for football. I would certainly do whatever he tells me. Obviously, Mr. Document is even more stupid than he initially appeared. No matter what Mr. Football player does the Documents actually keep smirking! Smirking! How stupid can one document be. Soon this young man decides he will go find the coach to ask for suggestions. Before long he returns with a smile on his face. Surely coach has told him what play to execute. He pulls back his shoulders, takes charge of the mouse and executes the play. Nothing! He tried again.
By this time I am feeling validated as a strong, bright, powerful man who could not have been expected to overcome the irascibility of the the mentally ill and spiritually challenged Document. Whew!
Finally the young man goes for the A team football player masquerading as an Apple Genius team person. They huddle, pull out and charge. Nothing. Eventually they come up with a sneaky, end play maneuver which defeats Mr. Document. It is now noon. I and my “team mates” have now spent a total of 4 ½ hours (counting travel time) defeating this little pipsqueak.
Since I have Apple Care I have not spent any money on this formable defense team although they recommend that I purchase an emergency shelter for laptop otherwise known as a backup drive! With tax this is nearly $80.00 , but I do realize it is a wise recommendation. One never knows when a terrorist bully will again hold the computer hostage.
Some others might have noticed that there are endless opportunities to learn, relearn or to practice what we say we believe . Indeed, I am powerless over other people, places or things. I do “appreciate” the fact that it these opportunities are priceless. I have the choice of either accepting that I am powerless and taking advantage of the fact that I get to spend some rather enjoyable time with two young men or whine about the fact that my schedule has been interrupted. I “know” my schedule very little to do with my spiritual goal or what I say are my spiritual goals of just showing up and trusting that I will always get what I need to grow spiritually. It is so much easier to write about the joy of growing spiritually. The truth is that I keep relearning the same lessons over and over and over. As far as I know this is true of all we humans. Mr. Document, in the meantime, is looking a little self satisfied and I could swear that he is say, “See, I told you I was a blessing.” I am not quite ready to admit to Mr. Document that he is accurate. I will get there.
Written November 27, 2015
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