Rising gas price, lowered attachment
Today I finally filled up my tank. I had been watching my little digital needle creep closer and closer to E as I drove by gas station after gas station, day after day, watching the gas prices rise.
I pulled into a gas station in the next town over and hopped out of my car, feeling a bit victorious that I had passed so many higher priced stations and feeling like I had somewhat out-smarted the system by finding the cheapest price yet #momwin
$75. It was $75 to fill up my tank, I gulped a little at the shock, but I went back to my center, back to being non-attached. Gas prices have ebb and flowed over the last 20 years that I have been driving. Though I do fondly look back at the early 2000’s when a $20 bill would fill my 2 door ‘96 Pontiac Sunfire and also get me a pack of Marlborough Menthol Lights (gag!)
I truly believe that we are all connected on this Earth, What one person feels, all feel. That is why when you work on healing yourself, you also heal others, and when you hurt yourself, you hurt others. If we want to live in a more peaceful and loving world, we have to start with what is inside of us. I know that paying a higher fee at the gas pump is peanuts compared to what is happening over in Ukraine because of it, It’s the domino effect and I find gratitude that my “cost” is at the pump and not in sending my husband off to fight a senseless war.
Aparigraha, or non-attachment is the fifth Yama in Pantajali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga. It can also translate to non-greed. Yamas are moral codes, ethics, or guidelines by which to live within ourselves and the world around us. It’s our relationship to ourselves and the world.
When we practice non-attachment or non-greed, we are reducing the amount of suffering that we experience, and like the saying goes “misery loves company” if there is no misery, there is no company!
When we live a life that is in the present moment and non-attached to the results, we are happier, more content, and more satisfied. This joy then spills out and into the world around us. This does not mean that we take a lazy or apathetic position, it’s quite the opposite actually. It’s about eliminating the unnecessary parts of ourselves, for example; when we are full, we do not reach for seconds just because the meal was pleasing to our taste buds and senses, we know that our bodies have been nourished and that we have had enough to keep our vehicles (bodies) fueled and healthy. It’s eliminating the excess, and boy have we embraced excess as a human collective.
Look at our stocked grocery stores in comparison to third world countries. Look at how when the pandemic first started, many people flocked to the shelves to care for only themselves. It’s beyond survival mode and moves into the space of greed. We are not meant to take more than our share because to do so would mean that we live in a scarcity mindset.
Instead of greed or attaching to the results, practice self-less service instead. How can I be grateful for what I have and share what I can? How can I put others before me? If we were all to put someone before us in some way, just once a day, imagine what a much more peaceful and kind this world would be.
So the next time you cringe at the pump, or moan in dissatisfaction at minor inconveniences, come back to center. Truly reflect on your situation and know that there is someone out there wishing for your bad day, was their good day.
And then think of something you can do for someone else, this could be as simple and holding the door open to a stranger, No act of kindness is too small. We can all play a part in creating peace within ourselves and peace outside of us.
