Tag: giving

What We Have, We Give.

My darlings, this morning I find inspiration through the words of poet, Alberto Rios – “When Giving Is All We Have.”

“One river gives
Its journey to the next.

We give because someone gave to us.
We give because nobody gave to us.

We give because giving has changed us.
We give because giving could have changed us.

We have been better for it,
We have been wounded by it—

Giving has many faces: It is loud and quiet,
Big, though small, diamond in wood-nails.

Its story is old, the plot worn and the pages too,
But we read this book, anyway, over and again:

Giving is, first and every time, hand to hand,
Mine to yours, yours to mine.

You gave me blue and I gave you yellow.
Together we are simple green. You gave me

What you did not have, and I gave you
What I had to give—together, we made

Something greater from the difference.”

In reading through I am reminded of the many instances when giving has made all the difference.

I think of my neighbor who after falling upon hard times, found faith again through the kindness of strangers.

I think of the little one who picked flowers from my garden – a gift for his mother in hospital.

I think of the many moments spent having coffee with friends, and the warmth of joy it left to heart.

We gain so much, when we give what we have – and that has made all the difference still.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

For more delightful reading, see Alberto Rios at http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/when-giving-is-all-we-have/

The Basis of Our Humanity.

“My humanity is bound to yours,” writes Nobel Laureate, Desmond Tutu. “For we can only be human together.”

To that end, we must open to the prospect of first knowing self; expanding the horizon of humbled vulnerability. And, yielding to the clarity of introspection.

For within you, I find a deepened sense of compassion, born through this expression of being human.

And, we are simply human, after all – ‘suffering’ the same worries and fear; rejoicing in the subtleties of this blessed interaction.

We discover ourselves in this process of knowing; of revealing that which has always been there.

This is the basis of our humanity, my loves ~ a connection which permeates all aspects of awareness.

In peace, my loves…and thank you for the gift of this connection.

Namaste ❤️

This Gift of Knowing You.

“A kind of light spread out from her. And everything changed color. And the world opened out. And a day was good to awaken to. And there were no limits to anything. And the people of the world were good and handsome. And I was not afraid any more.” – John Steinbeck, East of Eden

My darlings, in your light I’m not afraid anymore.

The darkness lifts to gentle dawn, coaxed from the arms of morning glories.

And, I am not alone anymore.

There’s a soul-filling kind of peace that wraps me in your gentle knowing.

Because of you, this world has welcomed me ‘home’ – sharing boldly of its secrets; transfixed.

“And everything changed color.”

From dampened grey, to cerulean blue…

Because of you, the Stargazer has found her ‘forever bloom’.

And I am not afraid anymore.

Because of you, my heart has awakened. Because of you, my dreams have come alive.

My darlings, in this space there are no limits; rather simply – it is completed by the joy of knowing you.

Because of you, my darlings – every day is good to awaken to.

Namaste, my dearest loves ~ and on this day, a blessing of gratitude just for you.

The Heart of Dharma.

Dzigar Kongtrol Rinpoche once said that if someone is to become a true student of Dharma, they must recognize the importance of practice within their everyday living. That is to say, that our own experiences are ‘intimately woven’ into the fabric of another’s humanity.

Can you imagine living each of our moments in just this way? To stand before another being, knowing that we are united in our shared experiences?

Every upset, every loss, every heartache, every pain; each instance of joy and of bliss – my darlings, do you think they’ve been immune from this?

“The ground of practice is your direct experience,” he writes “regardless of its content.”

Indeed, that we might learn to abandon these barriers of heart – in pursuit of a much more meaningful life. To know the joy of an unencumbered breath, through our connection with another human life.

My darlings, this is the very heart of our practice – one which must be carried with us throughout every step along our way.

In peace, love, and equanimity ~ namaste, my dearest friends…

The Greatness in What We Give.

Author Bessie Anderson Stanley once wrote that success was, in part, the ability to leave this world a better place – “whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition.”

Simply to know someone has breathed a little easier by way of our thoughts, our actions, our deeds – my darlings, this is what it means to have succeeded.

Though by any other ‘measure’ it might be missed. As, no amount of mantle trophies can bear witness to our truest legacy.

That is…

To embrace, to uplift, to ‘shine our light’; to offer courage against the dark of night; to praise, to cherish, to connect, to feel; to live with full heart, no matter the criticism; to find hope along an untraveled path; to explore the places others fear to tread; to find happiness within the robin’s trill, and inner peace inside a garden patch; to laugh often and love deeply; to ‘endure the betrayal of false friends’ and still see the goodness within all living beings;

My darlings this is what it means to have succeeded…to have lived.

A Handful of Blessings.

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” ~ Charles Dickens

I had just returned home from shopping yesterday, when a familiar voice rang out through the darkness.

“Tara,” he shouted. “It’s me, your neighbor, Jude.”

Jude has been such a kind friend through the years – always, knowing “just the right thing to do” without ever having to be asked. In my darkest hours, his smile has been a source of comfort, and of promise – a reminder that hope exists even within the shadows.

I hadn’t seen him for quite a long while, and was curious to know why on earth he was walking home at such late hour.

“I had to get rid of a few things to help make ends meet,” he said. Among them was his only means of transportation.

In that moment, I realized I was standing before a man who would literally walk miles to feed his family – and in my hands, 3 satchels of groceries.

My goodness, there’s nothing like a little irony to help drive a point solidly home. My darlings, remember how we talked yesterday of the power of action? That we might allow action to serve as a conduit for compassion?

These words have never resonated with me more.

I remember when I was much younger, my mother was pulling together a box of my older belongings – slightly worn clothes, and a few of my most favorite toys. Oh, how I cried at the thought of ‘losing’ these possessions. And when I asked, my mother said simply, “Because, someone else needs it more.” It was a hard lesson to learn, though – in fairness, I was just 7 years-old and not quite ready to understand the ways of this world.

The Buddha taught that when we give to others, it is without expectation of reward. To give without clinging to either the gift or to the recipient. Theravadin monk and scholar Bhikkhu Bodhi once said,

“The practice of giving is universally recognized as one of the most basic human virtues, a quality that testifies to the depth of one’s humanity.”

My darlings, to give, we must give without condition – to offer to others that which may be dearest to our heart.

Why? Because, someone else needs it more.

I’d like to honor the sentiment of my dear mother, today ~ and, offer in kindness that which has been so graciously shared to me. If we might take one step to alleviate the burden of another – my darlings, what a wonderful world this might be.

And so, on this day ~ I would like to offer this kind man the benefit of my ‘coffee fund.’ Though, first to ask permission of you, my dears ~ as, it is through your generosity that this site has been able to continue. And, perhaps to ask if you’ve a few extra coins in your pocket – that they might be shared with a dear man named, Jude.

For those who would like to make a donation today, all proceeds will be used to help a family in need.

Here is the link- >

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=G5CNL8HAFVDWE

Or, alternately through here ->


Namaste, my loves ~ how wonderful it is that we needn’t wait a single moment before starting to improve this world.

Wishing hope, love and peace filled blessings to all.

The Gift of Giving.

My goodness, what a lovely story this morning – shared graciously from Service Space. The author, I’m sad to say, is presently unknown – though, isn’t their message an absolute blessing?

Indeed, what does it mean to truly give? Is it a matter of action or sentiment? And, how do we disentangle the act of giving from the attachment of outcome?

In this beautiful story, famed warrior, Arjuna faces this challenge as he questions Krishna, who is the noblest giver in the land.

“Karna is without doubt the finest example of generosity in all the kingdom,” Krishna shares.

Of course, the answer is upsetting to Arjuna, as Karna is one of his biggest rivals on the battlefield. Noting Arjuna’s upset, Krishna devises a skillful test.

“Do you see those two mountains ?” Krishna asks. As Arjuna turns his gaze, the tall peaks in the distance begin to shimmer and reflect the light. Incredibly, the two mountains before him had turned into solid gold.

“Now Arjuna, I have a task for you,” says Krishna, ” You must distribute these two mountains of gold among the poor villagers who live in the foothills. Let me know when you have given away every last pebble of it.”

Excited by this opportunity to impress Krishna and the world with his philanthropic abilities, Arjuna summons all the villagers together and addresses them grandly. “Listen,” says Arjuna, “For I bring glad news. I will be distributing these two glorious mountains of gold amongst all of you.” A gasp of wonder and delight rises from the audience, as the air filled with song in praise of the great warrior Arjuna. Energized by their admiration, Arjuna set forth a master plan for the collection and distribution of this new found wealth.

For two straight days, he shoveled tirelessly – but, to no avail. To his dismay, the mountains remained unchanged. And, the more he shoveled – it seemed, the more remained. Forced nearly to the brink of exhaustion, he declares – “I must take a few days of rest before I dare to continue.”

In response, Krishna summons Karna into his presence. “Do you see those two mountains?” Krishna asks of Karna. “Yes,” returns the noble warrior. “You must distribute them among the poor villagers who live in the foothills. Let me know when you have given away every last pebble of it.”

Without a moment’s hesitation Karna calls out to two villagers who happen to be passing by at that moment. “Do you see those two mountains?” Karna asks them. “Yes,” comes the response. “Those two mountains of gold are yours to do with as you please,” says Karna with a smile bright as the sunrise.

And just as easily as he utters these words, he bows to Krishna and walks away.

Arjuna sat dumbfounded by this turn of events. How could something of such value be so easily distributed?

“Arjuna,” offered Krishna, his voice warm with wisdom. “in your mind the gold occupied a place of high value, and sub-consciously you were drawn to it. In doing so, you diminished the true essence of giving – that is to say, to give without expectation of return.

You had a muddied approach to giving. You tried to strategize and divide up the gold according to who you thought was most worthy of the gift. But these petty calculations tired your spirit, and over time, you were forced to realize that the mountains’ abundance is far beyond the capacity of your individual head, heart and hands.”

Arjuna silently absorbed the truth of these words into his being.

“And what about Karna?” he finally ventured to ask.

“The gold meant nothing to Karna,” returned Krishna easily, “For him the true gift was not the gold but the act of giving in itself. He had no calculations to make, nor was he seeking anything in return by way of acknowledgement or praise. He offered everything with a clear heart and a pure mind, and having given he moved on to meet the next moment. And that, dear Arjuna, is a true sign of a person on the path of Awakening.”

Indeed, to offer of heart with no expectation of return – my darlings, this is the greatest gift we might ever share.

And, in time, becoming the blessing within the present.

That Moment When Friendship is Formed.

“We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over.” ― Ray Bradbury

And, my darlings, on this day—that ‘drop’ is you. For, because of you, my heart smiles in new ways each day.

Indeed, we may not always know the precise moment when friendship is formed—but, we can feel it, now can’t we? Just as sure as the light breaks the day. There is no question, no worry, no fear—in an instant, it’s just ‘here.’

Gracing our heart with the warmth of perfection.

Drop by drop, kindness soon rushes over the vessels edge—and, in that moment we understand the depth of our soul’s connection.

Wishing you peace, joy and the spaciousness of true bliss. I bow to you, my dearest friends.

<3

To Touch the Divine.

There is a Buddhist passage regarding awakening,

“Enlightenment is like the moon reflected on the water.
The moon does not get wet, nor is the water broken.
Although its light is wide and great,
The moon is reflected even in a puddle an inch wide.
The whole moon and the entire sky
Are reflected in one dewdrop on the grass.” ~ Dogen

And, therein lies the struggle, my darlings. That is to say, in any given moment, we are both uniquely separate *and* everything else, all at once.

For, in our pain, we tighten; and, in our connection, we glow.

Just like the moon upon the water, we, too, are illuminated by life’s unassuming grace.

And, in our gratitude we find connection – to these, the much simpler things.

Whether in the beauty of a flower’s bud, or the poetry of a crisp autumn breeze ~ my darlings, it is never fully beyond our reach.

“In truth,” shares author, Mark Nepo. “the smallest stem of a damaged heart, like a single blade of grass, holds the essence of everything alive.”

It is in this act of moving forward, that we may finally begin to touch the Divine.

The Chill of a January Rain.

It was an opinionated rain this morning.

As droplets formed into crystalline chips, snapping rhythms against the limbs. And words lingered in the swirl of hushed breath.

Meanwhile, the sky rumbled on…something about the sun’s late arrival.

Halfway home, the clouds shifted into a wintered, weathered grey. I reached my hand forward, in rounded cup – as the heavens opened up. Reminding me of these cherished wonders – “music, laughter, the physics of falling leaves…holding hands, the scent of rain.”

“Last night
the rain
spoke to me
slowly, saying,
what joy
to come falling
out of the brisk cloud,
to be happy again
in a new way
on the earth!” – Mary Oliver

Though, some might complain – my darlings, I’ll take the chill of rain on any day.