[blockquote source=”Leo Buscaglia”]“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”[/blockquote]

Friday is my birthday, and as such I invite you to join me in a spectacular celebration…

Of life…of love…and of a most beautiful kind of engaged compassion.

What do I mean by engaged compassion?

My dears, these are all the unexpected ways in which you may share the gift of your light.

Hold the door for a stranger, take a tray of cookies to a neighbor…

And all those old toys and books and clothes still with tags on? My dears, isn’t it time you found a new home for them?

These seemingly small acts carry the power to transform our world; and, the decision to engage it rests with you.

So, don’t wait…don’t hesitate, my loves. If you want a better world, then lets change it.

Together we can move mountains, and through love we can secure a much better tomorrow.

I recently came across this beautiful metta, or loving-kindness meditation by the dhamma teacher Venerable Visuddhàcàra. It’s a message of hope and happiness, intended for all living beings.

And on this day, it’s sent from my heart to yours.

My dears, I am honored to know you; and, I am humbled by your outpourings of love each day. But, more so, I am thankful…thankful for the gift your presence.

Your light has carried with it, a joy – of that which I have never known before.

Blessings and peace, my dears…and, what follows is my birthday wish.

May penetrating light dispel the darkness of ignorance.
May all kamma be resolved and the mind-flower
of wisdom bloom in Nibbàna’s eternal spring.

May all those who are afflicted be affliction-free.
May they be serene through all their ills.
Even if bodily afflictions do not subside,
may we all be healed in heart and mind.

May all beings live in peace and harmony.
May they have health and wealth and comforts and friends that are true.
May they have skills, talents, and knowledge
and sweet success in all that they do.

May they have joy and happiness in abundance.

May all beautiful, great and noble virtues of—generosity, love, kindness, compassion, patience, fortitude, tolerance, forgiveness, honesty, courage, strength, energy, resolution, determination, resilience, perseverance, consideration, humility, gratitude, contentment, composure, serenity, wisdom, understanding and equanimity—be theirs.

May they attain full wisdom and enlightenment. May they be liberated from all suffering.