Working With Chaos

For some reason (is it the conspicuous consumption factor?) - whenever I get to L.A. at some point, I start to feel poor (is it that they are building an 11,000 sf house right behind my sister-in-law's house?)  And I start to feel anxious and want to go back to NY, where I feel less isolated and alone.  But I'm here and I want to move past those feelings, so at 3 am and 5 am when I couldn't sleep, I tried to reason with myself and I eventually got up out of bed and read some Pema Chodron.  

Here is one paragraph:  "Times are difficult globally; awakening is no longer a luxury or an ideal.  It's becoming critical.  We don't need to add more depression, more discouragement, or more anger to what's already here.  It's becoming essential that we learn how to relate sanely with difficult times.  The earth seems to be beseeching us to connect with joy and discover our innermost essence.  This is the best way that we can benefit others."

I liked that.  And then I also emailed a friend of mine early this morning and he told me that on his recent visit to the Hamptons, he felt like the poorest person alive.  Which is ridiculous of course, but he said that ultimately he felt that what he needed to connect to was love: love of self, family, work, people, etc.  

I liked that too.  I haven't had a chance to meditate this morning and I'm feeling pretty tired, but I am grateful for my reading and for my friend.