Peace in Symmetry

When I was in Virginia in May, I spent a few hours with one of Mom’s friends. Actually, she’s my friend, too. I’ve known her for as long as I have memory, and she’s a wonderful conversationalist.

She shared with me that she and her 40-year old daughter had spoken on the phone recently, and the daughter said something that struck her: “It is what it is.”

Ain’t that the truth.

I shared with my (and Mom’s) friend how peaceful I find that sentiment, and how it need not be limited to such a generic word as “it.”

…About eight years ago, I was deep into an incredibly content chapter of my life. I felt free of financial worries, and my social activities were as relaxed as they could possibly be.

Everything was just so very easy.

At the time, I remember acknowledging how frequently I thought in symmetrical terms. I was involved with a man who filled my heart, and when I would become a little frustrated by his behaviors, I would simply say, “Nick is Nick*.”

Similarly, “work is work.” “You can only do what you can do.” “It happens when it happens.”

And so forth.

… I try to hang on to this formula for peace.

It’s not only helpful in forgiving others, but it’s also a good way to be kind to oneself.

Because I’m not a perfect person (news flash, huh?), I like to give myself some slack. I like to remind myself of the symmetrical truth: I am who I am.

And life is life, and we get what we get.

We do what we do.

We earn what we earn.

We deserve what we deserve.

We love what we love.

…And that, my friends, is that.

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*not his real name