Often we think of joy as success and sorrow as failure. We easily celebrate peaks and we resist and complain about valleys. Of course this is natural. Joy is our nature, we live for the peaks and the sweet downhill slide that comes when we are “on top of the world”. But often we forget that peaks and valleys come as a package deal. We cannot have one without the other. And, the trials of valleys and upward climbs out of them are part of what make the peaks so darn satisfying. What we do have a choice in is our attitude as we travel the peaks and valleys of our lives. On the peaks we sometimes forget to maintain our blessings with virtue, respect, and appreciation. Often we worry, complain and blame while in the valleys wasting energy and digging the valley even deeper. If we cultivate an attitude of innocence and willingness to “climb”, the valleys loose their power to darken us. We begin to see them as opportunities for growth and education.
Practicing this, we eventually develop a yogi “bring it on!” attitude and learn to enjoy the valleys as much as the peaks. We allow them to be interesting and strengthening rather than diminishing. We realize they are there to make the next peak sweeter. Eventually we realize that to get to a new peak, we must descend into a valley to do so. Just as the dark cold of winter is necessary to bring a new spring bloom, peaks and valleys are a package deal. It would be wise to learn to respect and make the best of both.
Think of it this way; Part of the satisfaction of surfing comes from paddling out against on-coming waves and positioning with precision in order to enjoy a sweeter ride. And it is the paddle out that brings strength and knowledge of the elements and these add to the richness of the ride. It is a package deal. If the surfer were getting plopped onto the wave by some machine the satisfaction of the ride would eventually diminish. Of course there is a growing period for new surfers who are building the strength and knowledge to paddle safely and effectively but with the right attitude and the nectar of the rides as motivation, even this “climbing” experience can be rich.
The point is this: these “opposites” are not a linear spectrum. There are circular, cyclical and connected. Eventually darkness gives way to clarity which brings new light. Then light accumulates shading and becomes dark again. Peaks and valleys are the waves of life, in 3D waves become spirals, energy cycles back to its origin point but on a new level each round. You are the wave rider and your attitude and skill determine to steadiness and sweetness of the ride. Every problem comes prepackaged with a solution. They are simultaneously present. Which one are YOU focused on? Even in the depths of a valley, we can begin to look up and consider the first step to climb out. It begins with an attitude. You are free to shift your attitude… it is the flash point of your power to change your life. THIS is the yoga philosophy. Kahlil Gibran states it eloquently in his comments on Joy and Sorrow…
“Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.”
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