Tag: moment

This Blessing of Moment.

“You’re humming,” he said, “people don’t hum anymore.” In looking over, I saw the proud smile of an elderly man, lines worn deeply through the prospect of truly living. We shared coffee together over the morning hum of patrons and passersby – pausing only to take the moment in.

“Days need to be savored,” he said. “A moment lost is indeed a tragedy.”

And, though he had experienced great suffering in his life – a widower having lost his only son. Still, he smiled with endless courage – to enjoy these blessings yet remaining.

“Take nothing for granted,” he shared.

Indeed, the greater tragedy is to become numb to this world; to lose ourselves in a passing distress. For a moment lost she’ll never make its way again; time marches boldly on.

“Keep humming,” he winked and with that we said goodbye ~ knowing this day had found life through the kindness of another.

In peace…

Namaste ❤️

Only This Moment is Life.

“Drink your tea slowly”, my loves – is a lesson once shared by the venerable Thich Nhat Hanh; a reminder to serve each moment with grace.

Though all too often we find ourselves rushing forward; far too eager to take on these fabrications of mind.

We become lost in the tumultuous waters of emotion, failing to catch our beauty in the stillness reflected ‘below’.

“Drink your tea slowly and reverently,” he writes. “as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this moment is life.”

Indeed, my darlings – there is no greater truth. Because, in the end…

“only this moment is life.”

In peace, my loves…

Namaste ❤️

In The Stillness of This Moment.

Isn’t it amazing what happens when we’re still?

When something as simple as a hand extended could offer such hope to the will?

“Stillness reveals the secrets of eternity,” writes Lao Tzu. And, in this split second of marveled wonder – spirit finds its wisdom.

When I was much younger, I used to view heaven as one of those imponderables – something far bigger than any 8-year-old heart might hold.

But, now I see it everywhere – on speckled leaves, and goldfish ‘wings’; through heron’s glide across the summer breeze.

Stillness reveals itself to me – a simple virtue, one single flow.

In her grace, we find a limitless acceptance – a renewal of hope, a deepened compassion.

In this space, be still – silence your mind and listen. “Let the voice of your soul echo and shine!”

Look deeply, my friends – and knowing that the sweetest melody plays in the simplicity of this moment.

A Little Something About Splashing in the Rain.

A year ago, my neighbors would have looked at me oddly from the window. But, now they’ve come to realize – barefooted in rain puddles is the *only* way to live.

And, how joyful that they’ve ‘opened’ enough to finally come join me here.

My grandmother used to say, “Once a moment has passed, it’ll never find its way here again.”

So, these days I don’t wait for the moment to be ‘right’ – rather, I kick off my shoes and splash around in the rain instead.

I take long walks on overgrown trails, flip over rocks and marvel at snails. I count the spots on a ladybug’s wings. I eat dessert first, and as many as I please.
I give love and share love as often as its needed.

And, isn’t that the way we should be living?

Yes, I could have easily watched the storms pass from coziness of my bed. But, my goodness, can you imagine just what might have been missed?

I would have missed the scent of rain moving in; or the coolness of droplets forming against skin. I’d have missed the squealing of little ones scampering past. Or, the smiles of parents hoping it might last.

Indeed, and with just a little bit of silliness, and a tossing of caution to the wind – you and I, my dearest darlings, together – we bring these miracles near.

‪#‎upsidetoparkinsons‬

This Most Precious Today.

“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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