I’m at Krakatoa this morning with my double krakhead made from French and sitting under the loquat tree on the patio. The branches of this tree are intermingled with those of a large-leaf fig and a pine. This makes for a very natural sunshade or “canopy” as us rain forest enthusiasts like to call it. Just over the fence is a line green-culm small-medium bamboo which further insulates the place from the “city” outside. Facing 25th street a philodendron appears to be waving its enormous leaves at passersby but is actually aligning its photon arrays to the morning rays which are now just starting to stream in under the canopy, 7:00 a.m.

I was all prepared to write about anger this morning as my own, paired with frustration at wi-fi network failure last night had primed me for a grumpy mood and the ability to write from that perspective. This peaceful setting, the coffee slowly having its effect on my synapses and the thought of the wonchi (their egg sandwich) awaiting me has allowed the frustration to fall away and be replaced with introspection.

Coffee Inspired Thought of the day: “Anger Is Catching“:
I remember when I met my close companion some years ago, how accepting she was of the sensate reality around her. I like to think that I see things as they can be rather than accepting the way they are. While this is probably true, up until recently I did not work to change things for the better. If we are allowed to have an excuse, mine is that I felt powerless and ill suited to the task of changing the world for the better even if in a small way. What I did manage however was to express my discontent at every opportunity. Most people interpret this as complaining or even worse, whining.

Now I notice that she has become less accepting, easier to frustrate, easier to anger. Just when I am learning the benefits of accepting “What Is” while working to improve it, she has assumed some of my negative side (to be fair, her natural calm acceptance is still much superior to mine). Our environments shape us and I am part of her environment. More significant is that we are two adults who have demonstrated a malleability with our outlook. Think about a child growing up in an environment where the adults in her life, who she sees as all-powerful, attempt to solve their dilemmas with anger. If adults are malleable like a soft metal then children are like cookie dough just waiting to be shaped and baked – into adults.

See the world as you want others to see it.