Gentle Correspondents,One of the more salutary acronyms floating around today is WWJD? It stands for what would Jesus do in this gnarly situation I am facing right now?
You know, like maybe wanting to strangle this politician's neck for a few satisfying seconds?
"WWJD" is designed as a mental trigger to activate in us the loving attributes taught by the big guy himself. You know, things like compassion, patience, endless forgiveness, (well, at least seven times seventy times, before landing that delicious right hook!) loving your enemies, helping the poor—alas, all the good stuff.
I have found a way to put this into practice and have fun doing it at the same time. (I know, forgiving a politician you don't like is practically a superhuman undertaking, but let's leave the leviathan tasks aside until we've mastered the small ones, shall we?)
Let's look at the stuff that irritates us or otherwise "gets our goat", to use a little farm slang. When a situation arises that irritates or otherwise challenges me, I treat it like I am being called in for an audition.
And not just any audition!
This audition has more than a few industry heavyweights sitting in the mostly dark Broadway theatre, clipboards and pens in hand, very alert (like you wouldn't believe) and relaxed. I can hardly believe it, but seated loosely around the middle of row 12 are the superstars: Jesus, the Buddha, Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama, St. Francis of Assisi, Mother Theresa, Rumi, and for good measure Father Guido Sarducci to keep the proceedings on a light-hearted note.
Today, I have been called in to audition for the part of the person who is patient, kind and loving when dealing with customer service reps on the phone. Especially when I have a complaint.
Jesus calls my name and I walk out on stage.
Jesus says, "Steve, we're looking for somebody to play the role of a person who shows a tremendous amount of love, patience and compassion when on the phone trying to resolve a problem, and the customer service rep is not being particularly helpful. We'll provide you with a scenario and an actor to play the part of the phone rep. That would be Jason over there. He motions Jason to come on stage. Allright, let's get started. Remember - I want to feel the love!
And Father Guido, enough with the heckling already!"
I initially read from the quite predictable script, but Jason turns out to be the most surly, truculent customer service rep I have ever encountered. He even hangs up on me twice!!! Well, true to form, I blow up and start screaming uncontrollably into the phone, (yes, veins popping!) even though Jason is only a few feet away from me.
I lose it.
Will I get a call-back? Will I get the part??? Or, will I have to take this experience, learn from it, and audition again at a later date? I think you know how this audition went. It was a great learning experience, and no, I don't need to call them. They will call me.
You know where I'm going with this...
Every time a situation "shows up" in my life that I label "challenging", "unpleasant", "maddening" or "irritating", my take is that it is definitely not by accident.
I am being auditioned for the part of spiritual master by the very presence and power that undergirds the universe, and it is a priceless opportunity to finally apply all the knowledge I've gained reading (countless) spiritual books, reams of scripture, going to church all these years, watching children laugh and play, etc.
However, at some point beautiful ideas like "love thine enemy" have to come face-to-face with, well, the enemy. ("W" or Hillary, take your pick!)
And love him/her I must. Ouch - that smarts!
In other words, the spiritual rubber has to meet the road at some point, or all these cherished teachings are moonshine.
More and more, I view these "auditions" (difficult people, personal setbacks, etc.) with the same joy and alacrity as an actor who has been called in for a personal audition with, oh, let's say, Steven Spielberg. This lucky actor is finally getting the chance to "show his stuff" to—in the world of Hollywood—the big guy himself. Do you think for one moment the actor feels anger at being called in for this audition before Spielberg himself? Resentment? Not in a million years!!! The actor is standing beside himself with excitement!
No matter how difficult the audition, the rewards of a good performance before Spielberg are beyond imagining.
So, the next time you are confronted with, for instance, a real jerk, how about viewing it as an audition generously provided by the very force that animates every atom? How about jumping for joy, rather than the other, hackneyed reaction? Your eyes should light up because finally—here it is!!! This is the audition where you can really "strut your spiritual stuff" and respond with infinite love, patience, or whatever positive attribute is called for at that moment!
If you "get the part" the rewards, like a leading role in a Spielberg flick, will be beyond your wildest imaginings. If you don't get the part, well, you will soon be called in for another audition, (and another, and another, echo, echo) until you finally do get the part.
God is very generous in this respect...
Be on the lookout for your next audition. Mine often appear instantly out of nowhere, and at the most unexpected times.
Vigilare. (every second!)
Steve : - )
vig·i·lant: Pronunciation: 'vi-j&-l&ntFunction: adjectiveEtymology: Middle English (Scots), from Latin vigilant-, vigilans, from present participle of vigilare to keep watch, stay awake, from vigil awake: alertly watchful especially to avoid dangersynonym see WATCHFUL
