Pearl

“Pain in the ass”. Something I say (at least sub-vocally) pretty frequently. Probably too much. Probably at the “wrong” time...and undoubtedly in bad context. So. This is for you, in case you happen to hear that phrase come out of my mouth. Ever.

The other day, a student was a bit incorrigible...not just a little whiney and maybe too loud...but still a very sweet, loving and genuinely GREAT person that I REALLY love...(I’m not very committal with my wording...)...and I let it slip. Yep. Out loud. “Guh. What a pain in the ass...” The realization that surely SOMEONE heard me say it (despite Santana in the background...) kept me up ALL NIGHT. The monkey in my brain would not let it go, “Oh. You really did it this time, Kim. How the HELL are you gonna rectify that ginourmous boo boo? Every one of the students in that class is gonna think you’re a hypocrite...in fact...everything you teach is BULLSHIT in their interpretation cuz you just called one of their peers a ‘pain in the ass’.” Yep. So this is my strategy: I sorted this all out in the wee hours. “Pain in the ass” is analogous (that’s right) with the “sand in the oyster”.

How can it not be? The most unforgettable lessons in my life have always been taught by the people who annoy me the most. It’s true. The most annoying people have taught me the most. Hrm. Not to indicate that the people I love and hold most dear in my life haven’t taught me loads...it also doesn’t mean that all the people I love and hold the most dear are not annoying. Because, the truth is I pretty much love everyone. Yep. And, since I found my practice (though, admittedly I don’t always function from that place of integrity..ie. calling my sweet student a pain in the ass...) I have realized more readily my crazy sparkle-shine attitude about people. What I’ve begun to understand is it’s OK to be full of love and light and express it everywhere and to everyone (in probably IMMENSELY annoying ways...) but it’s ALSO, at least, human (and therefore Divine) to swear like a trucker (for example. That’s not an admission...)

So. Let me just say to you now, should you be one of the annoying ones in my life...You are my GREATEST teachers. Know that I love you immensely. And...please don’t stop being annoying...without the grit, there is no Pearl.

Great LOVE (and near as much gratitude...) -Kim