reflections on the meaning of this season

on today, and every day, may we know joy‎ and wonder and awe: at the interplay of light and dark, at our awakening to our truest heart and value, and at the celebration of the birth of the son. 

as our circumstances, our traditions, our understanding, and our faith change and grow may our eyes and hearts expand and open wide with love.

may we always be willing to see and to share, to give and to receive. 

touching lives

sometimes I go through periods when I am very inward. I don't reach out to the people in my life that I have taken responsibility to be with, to encourage and to share and grow with. taking care of me, and maybe a few family members, feels like all I can manage. 

then I start remembering. I have made a commitment to practice for and with others, not just for my own benefit and growth. I start thinking, "I could pick up the phone. I could make a visit." and sometimes I think I SHOULD do these things. and yet still I don't really take action. 

and what I have happens next, without fail, is that some of these people reach out to me. sometimes they reach out to help and encourage. sometimes they call to receive encouragement, to share a challenge. but they always reach out. 

we are SO connected with all of life. what we need turns out to be what others need, and vice versa. it is so beautiful. 

and it keeps me from becoming a hermit. 

thanks, guys.

joy in the morning

(with appreciation for the inspiration of my two myoho sisters, teri and alison)

beginning each day again -- making the effects we experience into causes for a beautiful future. karma into mission. poison into medicine. joy as we journey. looking up from our labor to see the progress we have made and the lives we have encouraged and the eyes we have opened, including our own.  

the next peak beckons us forward, and we find our muscles are stronger because of yesterday's work. now we can climb with our head high, conquering new peaks as we watch the sun rise and listen to the birds sing.  look, there is a rainbow ahead, just over the mighty waterfall. flowers blossom tenaciously in the cracks of boulders. 

what rocks am I carrying that are weighing me down?  how can I step into my adventure, without even leaving home?‎ today I want to put down my unnecessary burdens and move forward with a light heart and renewed commitment. if I develop enough strength I can dance my way up the mountain and through the valleys. I will know just what I need to carry with me and what is best left on the side of the road. the wisdom of experience and study as my guide, I will take the most direct path and blaze a trail to inspire those still on the lower slopes. after all, I am following in the footsteps of guides and mentors. 

and we all meet together on the peak! looking around, I see my friends and loved ones all around, making their own paths and developing their own strengths. 

there is joy in this morning!

Compassion and Inner Strength

These words are not my own, but they are important to me, especially today.

"To behave with Buddhist compassion is to be mindful of the feelings of those who are struggling. It is to do whatever we can to alleviate, even a little, the pain of those whose hearts are filled with sorrow, despairing over life's bitter challenges. It is to give hope to those who are trying their hardest in difficult circumstances. It is to impart courage to those who are stuck and unable to find a way forwards. And it is to teach, show, and awaken others to the fact that they possess within them the power to overcome every problem, and enable them to actually tap that power.". ---daisaku ikeda

Little Moments

Funny how all the cumulative choices and causes add up to one unique moment when things come together and resolve and we smile and say, "that worked out."

Sometimes that moment is a big event, sometimes just a little grin.

Snow was coming. Up to a foot. I had to choose where to get snowed in. At home with my sweetheart where I could enjoy playing, and help shovel the walk and dig out the cars. Or at my son's house where I could take care of the baby if her daycare closed and he and his wife had to go to work.

I chose to sleep over at my son's. Sure enough, day care closed. However, his work closed too. I could have stayed home.

But since I was here I played with the baby while he drove his wife to work in the 4 wheel drive. I was having a nice time, but it didn't seem so important to have stayed.

Then the back door opened. "Mom, I need help". The suv was stuck in the alley, not moving forward to the street and not moving backwards onto the parking slab.

Camille and I put on our coats and she got to ride in the carseat in the stuck vehicle. Together, Alex and I got past the frustration and eased the car back and forth until we could get it out of the alley. Success!

Not earth shattering or amazing. But I was here. I could help. And together the job got done.

Now I get to play awhile. And later, hot chocolate with my sweetheart.

Not a bad snow day.

If you need more sleep, sleep more

My daughter dreamed I was exhausted and slept all day. She is a great daughter and checked with me to see if the dream was a signpost.

And I realized - I AM exhausted. I've been crabby because I haven't taken care of myself, given myself the resources I need.

So I have made some resolutions -- more sleep, more time with bare feet on the earth, a bodywork treatment regularly.

And I threw in one more to make it even more fun -- resolved: a trip to Japan in 2015 to celebrate turning 60!