The title was grist for the mill the last few weeks with the kids….”The Tao of POO????”

Um…no.

Which, in related and yet, oh-so-random news, reminds me of when I had to inspect one of their BM’s to make sure it was hunky dunky — and not funky (sorry. I had to say that.). I picked up my phone in the bathroom, lifted it over the toilet to swipe on the flashlight feature and promptly dropped the phone in the toilet.

#iPoo

At which point, the neurotic, germ-freak part of me picked out the phone, put a dab of liquid soap on it and STARTED RUNNING IT UNDER HOT WATER.

It was pure instinct.

Anyway…

The phone’s fine, the poo is fine and now, we’re back on task:
The Tao of Pooh.

By Benjamin Hoff.

I’ve wanted to read this for years and years and finally got it from the library. It’s the author, in a conversation with both the audience, as well as the characters from Winnie-the-Pooh, showing the similarities between Taoism and Pooh’s way of being in life.

It highlights the way we function in the world: Where we are Rabbit, Piglet, Eeyore or Owl — and where we are Pooh.  And that Pooh’s way, is clearly the more peaceful path.

I hated for the book to be over. It was so sweet, so soothing, so satisfying.

It sounds like I’m talking about chocolate.  I guess it’s because this was like a soul chocolate.

It made me sigh and smile and breathe a little easier.  Here are a few of the reasons why…

I’ve Always Loved Pooh

Seriously.  As a child, I adored Winnie-the-Pooh.  The books and the animated cartoons.  Where Sebastian Cabot’s narration along with Sterling Holloway’s slightly scratchy Pooh-voice  just made me feel a sense of “All is well in the world.”  The music in the background was delicate and fun. It appealed to my child-like senses.

I loved Pooh so much that for my 27th birthday, my husband got me a HUGE stuffed Pooh-bear. I was slightly embarrassed when he brought it out in front of everyone at my party (alone with the full volume, hardcover book of stories) as I thought it was our little secret, seeing as I was nearly 30….but, since the secret is out, I’ll tell you this:

I slept with it for years — Rock on one side, Pooh on the other. I mean, like until I had kids at 34 and finally let the children have it.

It was a memory full of comfort, simplicity and wonder which I greatly cherished after so many harsh realities in my growing up years.

I Married Pooh

My super-strong, super-smart, super-funny husband is pretty much Winnie-the-Pooh in a tall, dark and handsome package.  Rock is full of uncomplicated, simple wisdom, up for any adventure and is pretty much sure that everything, always is going to work out.

Which makes the Rabbit/Piglet part of me crazy sometimes.

Me, freaking out from the passenger seat watching my husband trying to find the perfect song on the radio while he’s driving: “Rock! You just passed the exit to LAX!! We’re already late, if we don’t hurry up we’re going to miss our flight!”

Rock, looking up in a sort of surprised way, “Oh wow.” Pulls toward the right to get off at the next exit and pats my knee and smiles at me, “So, we get more time together.”

Which sounds wonderful but makes me crazy since I was thinking, “‘More time together in a car, missing our flight’ is not the same as ‘more time together on a plane to our vacation-destination’.”

We see things differently.

Still, all-in-all, his is a more peaceful landing place.  It’s way better than being married to a nerve-ending.

Like, you know…

Cleverness, Knowledge, and Wisdom

To see the distinction Hoff made that the one who is ruled by only Cleverness wants credit. The one by only Knowledge wants to be right.  The one led by Wisdom will have what it needs — and peace in the process.

That’s Pooh.

Force vs Trust

The contrast that life can happen by Force — our will, exercised to the full extent without regard for anything but the goal — or by Trust, a state of surrendered peace that is immersed in the journey while heading to the destination — and either way, life will get done.  Only the one who trusts will have more fun and joy in getting there.

Big sigh.

The Gift of Using What You Have To Get What You Want

When it rains,  and it’s starting to flood, an umbrella is a very useful boat.
When you want to get honey high up in a tree, a balloon is a very useful floatation device.
When you want to get respect from someone, the respect you have is a very useful way to generate it.

Pooh’s ways are not punishing. It doesn’t treat people in kind — it treats people with kindness and curiosity.

There’s more I could share, but the punchline is this:

In the space of Pooh’s non-attachment, non-stressed out, non-driven ways, he has the most fun, experiences the most joy, and feels the most love. He’s the perfect guy to go nowhere and do nothing with because with him you end up somewhere, with everything —  because his love for honey and Christopher Robin were the things that led him there.

Let love lead.