“My actions are the ground on which I stand,” shares American Zen Buddhist, Joan Halifax.

As abbot and guiding teacher of Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, she has become a pioneer in the field of end-of-life care.

“In being with dying,” she writes. “we arrive at a natural crucible of what it means to love and be loved. And we can ask ourselves this: Knowing that death is inevitable, what is most precious today?”

And, so I ask of you, my darlings – what is most precious for you today?

For me, it is that I am sitting right here enjoying the company of dear friends. While in my hands, there’s a ceramic mug gifted from someone dear.

That I’ve a roof over my head, and food to eat. And, that perhaps because of something I’ve done – another’s heart may have been lifted.

That, in this moment and in spite of my illness, I am still able to smile…to breathe…to laugh… to share.

To offer this gracious energy of hope tucked humbly within these few words.

And, knowing that:

“Now more than ever you can be
generous toward each day
that comes, young, to disappear
forever, and yet remain
unaging in the mind.
Every day you have less reason
not to give yourself away.” ~ Wendell Berry

Don’t let it all disappear, my loves – live now, live fully, live for this most precious today.

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