Leap Day

So many wise ones have written about life as taking a leap of faith, going for it, and trusting. The hero’s and heroine’s journey is one of facing the obstacles, the mazes, and dragons. We leap alone, not clinging to others or things, nor do we push or force others to join our leap. It is a journey we make alone, leaping into the unknown…much like the way we entered this world. And if that inaugural journey, that first leap is what we now celebrate as our Birthday, then every leap we make is but another! I’m not getting older….I’m being born over and over every moment, breath, and emotion!  And so to all, may I offer a heartfelt giggle and wish you – Happy Leap Day!

Derailed and Uplifted

               I took my place in line and placed my items on the counter. Another came and stood behind me. The strength of her sigh was louder than its sound. I know not why but immediately thought I had done something wrong. I was the source of her sigh and felt frustration. Less than a minute but the sequence of thoughts and feelings cascaded over a lifetime of self-judgment. And then the whisper of “Little One…Oh Little One.” I giggled and derailed the oncoming train wreck of thoughts. Another giggle, if her presence and energy could so change me, then perhaps my own could change hers. I turned with a smile and gentle hello, my eyes reaching into hers. It matters not what happened next. The real story is not the ending. Except to say, I walked outside on a quilted cloud covered, dark gray, sunless day…and thought perhaps I needed my sunglasses.

“When all your desires are distilled, you will cast just two votes: to love more, and be happy.” — Hafiz

AT the Being of BE

I do love words and the powerful changes a subtle shift can make. So many of our sayings, prayers and meditations use the words “like,” “know” or “at.” May you be like the sun giving never asking for return. May you know the state of happiness. May you be at peace.  But the words feel like a place or emotion, here or there but never quite me. In the midst of turmoil I can be “at” peace. But how much more powerful would it be, if instead, in the midst of turmoil I “was” peace? To change the “likes” and “at’s” to being or be. And so today, for myself, all beings, and all life, my meditations are that all may be at peace and at ease. But with a heart smile, I shall add “May all BE peace. May all BE ease. May all BE happiness and joy. May all BE strength. May all fully BE.

Unlimited Quantities

The morning and the day, a blank piece of paper and dancing shadows. The joy, the simple childlike innocent joy of knowing it awaits my mark. But oh, sweet mercy, the giggled anticipation of knowing at the end of the day, I get to re-open and savor each mark made. The marking, the re-seeing, and then the letting go. Not to worry! Not limited to just one sheet.

Cross Hairs and Crossroads

I pondered the week and the image of cross hairs and crossroads floated into my mind. Sometimes to feel you're caught in the cross hairs, the aim directed at you. Other times to see through the cross hairs. We focus with intent and attention, seeing what needs to be seen, setting the goals and targets. Then there are crossroads. To simply walk the path, knowing that everything changes, evolves, and returns.  All we set our sights upon -the joy we would cling to and the stress or hurt we would push away - shall pass. Both shall twist and turn, like crossroads, beckoning us further down the path. 

May your day unfold like crossroads, delighting in the mystery and awe of the turns and twists. May you know the path is certain; your steps are well grounded. No need for cross hairs, giggle, the sights are ever changing… sweet mercy, ain't that grand!

Tags Released

The sweet joy of sitting in meditation before dawn. The stillness of love gifted within and without. All was broken by the scratching of my shirt’s tag against my neck. I started to reach and move the tag but stopped when I noticed how tense my body had become. I was not silent. I had become angry at the tag. In its silent scratching it had deafened my heart and stiffened my body. My mind had raced to fear that this was not a good omen for the day. It was just a tag. It was just a tag. And somehow it had transformed into something more than cloth and threads ever dared to think they would be. I sat with the tag, befriending what it simply was. A laughter meditation, but ever so humbling. A lesson best gently learned from a little tag, than with others, beliefs, and life. And when the unstilled stilled sitting was done, to leave a soft feather of trust and gratitude to this tag…releasing all others not made with cloth.

Costumes of My Mind

Like a two headed arrow, the deadline sharply approached as my ability to finish flew the other way. The whispered question, “What is my intention?” To get it all done. “What is my intention?” The whisper asked again. To get it done. And yet a third time, “What is my intention?” My hands fell softly into my lap as my breaths slowed and deepened. To love this life with an open heart. To see the miracles, wonder, and love streaming past me each moment. To see all that touches my life as my Teacher.  The whisper smiled. The silence transformed the arrowheads into the sun’s first stream of light. We create our misery. We create our bliss. To let them both go and with love and the mystery of awe, joyfully embrace and learn from what is.

On this day of tricks and treats, may I let go the costumes of my mind.