The community here in illinois where I now live has not one, but two, Facebook pages. That’s overkill. I grace at them every other day or so just in case there may be some interesting news–like the expansion of the local ice cream shop.
There are about five women posting daily recently feeding on each other’s complaining. One starts, another chimes in with something worse, and so it goes. Lately it’s all about the lawn care provided by the Home Owners Association.
I thought, how easily we get caught up in a cycle of complaining, negativity, anger. It builds into even actual hate.
Equanimity came up on today’s podcast. The ability to stay calm, even tempered.
Equanimity can be learned. Not intellectually, but deep within the soul. Usually it comes gradually. Best if inculcated intentionally. It took years of meditation and practice.
A new soccer referee wrote the other day. We are in the second week of the high school season. I’m the assignor. He had made one of those “controversial” calls. Tough call for a foul that the coach objected to loudly. That got the parents riled. Lots of yelling. He figured I’d be getting a call from the school. I told him not to worry. I have many years of experience defusing situations, but that mostly people forget after the game.
He will learn to develop equanimity, or else he will not last.
And those women on Facebook? I know that people exist who get joy from being negative. But a little equanimity might make life better for them and those around them.
And every day I must practice breathing intentionally. Maintaining equanimity is not “one and done.” It requires a lifetime of practice.
Faith Venture 
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