the mires of ancient swamp

If you wallow in the mires of ancient swamp,
do not try to drain the swamp,
simply move to higher ground.

Notes:
1. Maybe you feel like the swamp attacks you and drags you down. You feel offended by the implications of wallow: that it is you doing it to you. Well, yes, it is not entirely due to karmic creep nor bloodline nor your mama and your daddy nor to your fizz-iology. Your feeling offended is a good sign. It means you have taken one step back from your wallow.

2. Whatever you attend to, you become. This is important. Don't just gloss over it with a yeh-yeh. You actually, positively, definitely become what you focus your attention on. Your attention is one of the most powerful tools of transformation you have. No one is in charge of where your attention is placed but you.

3. If you must wallow, get yourself a wallowing chair -- hardwood and straight and uncomfortable. I know, I know, you would prefer the plush comfort of your usual wallowing pen, but that ain't gonna cut it. Ruthlessly make yourself sit in the chair for your wallowing. Sit there until the wallowing is done. Immediately get up and move on. If the urge to wallow in your mires of ancient swamp comes when you are not near your wallowing chair, promise the urge that you will honor it as soon as you can get to your chair. Honor this.

4. Moving to higher ground means first of all, putting your attention on anything other than wallowing. More deeply, moving to higher ground means focusing your attention on aspects of existence that elevate you. You know what these are.

5. Of course, another choice is to keep wallowing. If you choose this path, wallow with all your heart and mind and soul. No half-way wallowing. Tear out clumps of your hair. Break your teeth out with a rock. Cut up your clothes. Sit in ashes. Don't mess around.

If you wallow in the mires of ancient swamp,
do not try to drain the swamp,
simply move to higher ground.