“You know who the happiest animal in the world is?” Ted Lasso1 says to a player after he’s treated poorly on the field by a teammate.
“What?”
“Goldfish… because it has a ten second memory.”
It’s a noble goal. Wiping out our memories. Not holding grudges.
But there are grudges and then there’s re-victimization. If you continue to be harmed, then something else needs to happen.
A few weeks ago, I walked along the Breakwater. It’s a wonderful place I frequent in my ocean town. I strolled to the end where the lighthouse is, went down the steps, and sat on the rocks. Sometimes I bring a book and read in the warm sun. If you spend a long enough time there, nature sometimes rewards you: seals swimming in pairs, otter families, and if you’re lucky, whales. I contemplated the exercise I was about to do. I held the Stone I found in the bay, finding comfort as it nestled in my palm.
It was busy there that day. Sometimes it’s just me and the odd person. On this day, many were p…
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