“Your worst enemy cannot harm you
As much as your own thoughts, unguarded.
But once mastered,
No one can help you as much.” — The Dhammapada

I overheard a conversation this morning, between a young man and his wife. They had been squabbling over something, I’m not quite sure—but to the both of them, it seemed equally important.

You see, there’s a dairy farm by my home, just down the road a ways and nearest to my favorite organic market. In the mornings, you’ll often find me there, reflecting…as you see, I’ve found that baby calves make the very best listeners (and particularly when it is that you’ve an apple or two tucked not-so-very discretely within your pocket).

I love coming here on my Saturday mornings, if only for the purpose of ‘just sitting quietly for a while.’ You see, meditation isn’t always about ‘sitting in om’—rather, meditation can take on quite a few different forms…

Including, standing right here looking out onto a field of mischievous baby cows.

I didn’t realize they were fighting at first—had it not been for the calf’s startled chortle and snort, I don’t know that I would have even noticed it.

“I give you everything, anything you want. And all you do is complain,” he shouted.

And then I watched as the young woman, gripping tight the hand of her toddler, slunk forward into a crumpled pile of nothingness. In some ways, she ‘disappeared’ right before my eyes.

“You have a good life,” he hissed, as he slammed the car door. And off they sped down that well worn path of unsettledness.

Oh, dear—such a terrible life blunder; to assume our hearts are so inseparably tied to the unwavering views of another.

I wanted to reach out to her, to remind her of her brilliance. To share with her the majesty of her own human richness.

To share with her the simple truth of our existence.

Life isn’t what others make for us, my darlings. rather…the life we have is precisely the one we’ve chosen.

Every challenge, every minute crying alone in the dark…

And, every moment where our heart has nearly exploded with happiness…with joy…and with love…

This, too, we have also chosen.

“If a hundred people sleep and dream,” shares Kalu Rinpoche.  “each of them will experience a different world in his dream.”

And, my darlings—this world isn’t always as others may deem. The experience we have is exclusively ours to keep.

No matter what the others might think.

Remember, what you believe—you empower.

Namaste, my loves ~ now, if you’ll please excuse me, I’ve promised another visit with my cows.

In peace, with love… and blessings to all.