You know what I'm talking about...capacity. It's the ability to have
life throw a googly-moogly amount of stuff at you, all at once, and
then you simply -- deal with it. That's capacity.
Most people don't have a lot of capacity, and, I must admit, there are
days when even the slightest bit of additional unplanned-for
responsibility will send my system into overload.
But for the most part, capacity allows an individual to be enriching,
broadening, calming, and reassuring in the midst of chaos. If stress
is the pulled-thin tightness of hectic activity and responsibility,
then capacity is the opposite. It can handle with clear-headed
thoughtfulness whatever is thrown in the mix at any given moment.
Capacity is similar to patience; but patience can wear thin, or run
out. Capacity, however, remains vaulted once expanded. There's
always room for more with no pressure increase.
This is definitely a skill that can be learned and cultivated. In my
own life, I'm noticing a sense of growing capacity to handle lots of
different challenges that arise each day; challenges from work, home,
relationships. Capacity allows room to breathe and think and to be
level-headed enough to accomplish what needs to be done. Since I'm
not as frustrated and exasperated at every little thing, my capacity
must be expanding to allow all of the unnecessary things to fall
harmlessly without affecting any damage.
Don't be forced into making rushed decisions; take your time to
evaluate and consider all of your options. Grow your capacity to
think laterally about other ways of accomplishing what needs to be
done. The more you practice it, the easier and roomier it gets. It's
like stretching a balloon to allow the air to expand it more easily
with each breath.
Capacity allows you to live in the moment, because that's the most
important time to be aware of. Try it for yourself, and see how much
your capacity, and achievement, increases with practice.
