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Psychology
How to Feel Good About Hearing Crickets After Posting on Social Media
I shared a personal divorce story on Twitter.
I worried about a vulnerability hangover. In the essay I also argued that writing yourself letters beats journaling. I was afraid of pissing off die-hard journalers.
I was nervous, but posted anyway, and waited for feedback.
I heard nothing but crickets ALL DAY. This silence caused me to think all sorts of shitty thoughts, until I remembered Zen master Hakuin’s cricket.
Hakuin is a towering figure in Japanese art and Buddhism. His teachings have influenced millions of people over the centuries. He achieved enlightenment when he heard a single cricket chirp by the temple steps.
Had that cricket not chosen that very moment to “sing,” he would not have achieved enlightenment, and he would not have been able to help millions of people with his wisdom.
Hakuin’s cricket had no idea that just by being itself — chirping to find a mate — it would change lives. The cricket did humanity a great service, unselfconsciously, in total ignorance, and by accident.
He did his thing and that was enough.
Remembering this story helped me get out of my funk. What if the greatest value…