Simple & Magnificient

"To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else."  - Emily Dickinson

Today I made a discovery that made me joyfully happy. Garlic ketchup. I am still amazed at the amount of delight that can come from one small action idea. I finally had the thought after many years to mix crushed garlic directly to ketchup for my new favorite sauce. Food ecstasy and a simpler way to compose a sandwich.
Try it - I did it to my taste about 1 tablespoon of crushed garlic to 3 tablespoons of ketchup - then again, I LOVE garlic.

As coconut water and milk is being sold now right in the dairy section of my regular market, I bought a half gallon. With it being a cool evening, hot chocolate sounded like a nice, warm, luxurious treat. Tonight, I made it with coconut milk. It was very nourishing. I was surprised that I didn't notice a different in the taste. Successful twice, a nice plus. A mini-adventure right in my own kitchen makes me smile. Then, there always sumptuous salads.

luscious, wild, sweet
crunchy, munchy wet
grazing on greens

You may notice one of the new badges at the side of my page small is beautiful. It fit right into to my day. I so love this sentiment and already feel i belong in this "revolution" or rather way of being.The following is the excerpt right off the Small is Beautiful site:


The Small is Beautiful Manifesto

We believe stories are valuable, no matter how many people read them.
We believe following your passion is more important that watching your site
                    meter.
We believe in the handmade, the first try, the small start, and the good
                    effort.
We believe that small is beautiful.

Won’t you join our tiny revolution?

My answer was yes. "Everybody is a story". Stories are still magical if read by one person or a thousand.

Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint on it you can.  -Danny Kaye

Childhood & My Sacred Bears

 "Bears are not companions of men, but children of God, and His charity is broad enough for both... We seek to establish a narrow line between ourselves and the feathery zeros we dare to call angels, but ask a partition barrier of infinite width to show the rest of creation its proper place. Yet bears are made of the same dust as we, and breathe the same winds and drink of the same waters. A bears days are warmed by the same sun, his dwellings are overdomed by the same blue sky, and his life turns and ebbs with heart-pulsings like ours and was poured from the same fountain....." - John Muir

I remember bear as an important animal from my childhood. One of the most tender memories I have of my father is him drawing pictures of teddy bears on my thumbnail. Today, it's hard for me to imagine I sat still that long. Now I wonder was it my father's unusual tenderness, calm and focus? Or was it watching the magic of having an animal come to life right on my hand. Either way I think it was a bigger gift than either of us knew.

Then like many others I remember my first teddy bear which went everywhere until it was so tattered my mother was begging me to give it up. I still remember going to the five and dime in redondo beach, calif. to get the replacement while still trying to convince my mother how wrong she was.

Then there was a teddy like bear not like my "real" one in color. Somehow it was named brownie. This caused me a bit of confusion when I met my step-grandfather's sister brownie.

When I was sorting through my drawing one day I noticed that I have drawn bears far more than any other animal. Is it an unconscious link to my childhood or it is a manifestation of a spirit animal who looks after me. I think maybe it is both, and fine with me.

cup of the sacred
splash of the ordinary
sprinkle of the absurd

"Direct your eye right inward, and you'll find a thousand regions in your mind yet undiscovered. Travel them and be expert in home-cosmography." - Henry David Thoreau

L'Shanah Tovah! For a Good Year!

 “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.” - Albert Einstein

If you know me or have read my words here before you probably have noted that I don't consider myself a traditional member. I follow that which speaks to my heart, soul or resonates with love and joy for me. I feel that Yom Kippur is a very sacred, holy time. The Day of Atonement, at-one-ment. Maybe I just love the idea of having a time of reflection, forgiveness, and starting new. Yes, I know that could be any moment or any day. Yet, this day a large community joins with me or I with them in recognizing this.

Thank You to:

Jewish Federation Televsion, Nashuva of Los Angeles, Rabbi Naomi Levy, and the Nashuva Band for an inspirational Kol Nidre Service last night

To Our Jewish Community.org, Congregation Beth Adam of Loveland, Ohio, Rabbi Robert B. Barr, Rabbi Laura Baum for a lovely morning Yom Kippur service.

Thank You to Congregation B'nai B'rith of Santa Barbara, Rabbi Stephen Cohen, Cantor Mark Childs, Ass't Rabbi Alyson Solomon, and Ustream for a beautiful afternoon service.

I grateful to all who allowed these services to be offered online. I feel very blessed to have been able to share them.

The following are excerpts that I want from the A Supplement to the High Holiday Prayerbook from Tikkun magazine including some of the prayers for forgiveness that resonated with me:

"On the Jewish High Holidays, or whenever we are doing repentance
work, we take collective responsibility for our own lives and for the
activities of the community and society of which we are a part. We
affirm our fundamental interdependence and inter-connectedness."


For the sin of not recognizing and celebrating the beauty and
grandeur of the universe that surrounds us;
For the sin of not seeing the spirit of God in others;
And for the sin of not recognizing and nurturing the spirit of God
within ourselves;
For the sin of not praying, meditating, or giving adequate attention
to the needs of our soul;
And for the sin of focusing only on our sins and not on our
strengths and beauties;
For the sin of not transcending ego so we could see ourselves as we
are: manifestations of God’s loving energy on earth.

For the sin of being jealous and trying to possess and control those
we love;
And for the sin of being judgmental;
For the sin of withholding love and support;
And for the sin of doubting our ability to love and get love from
others;
For the sin of insisting that everything we do have a payoff;
And for the sin of not allowing ourselves to play;
For the sin of not giving our partners and friends the love and support
they need to feel safe and to flourish;
And for the sin of being manipulative or hurting others to protect
our own egos.

"For all our sins( when we have missed the mark), may the Force that makes forgiveness possible forgive us, pardon us, and make atonement possible." (Ve’al kulam Elohai Selichot, selach lanu, mechal lanu, kaper lanu.)

blessed - inscribed - purified - sealed

seeds of new year planted
remembering each day is fresh

heart opening to change

L'Shanah Tovah!

Abundant Week - Enjoying Life & Learning

"To be old can be glorious if one has not unlearned how to begin." - Martin Buber

This has been an abundant week filled with good friends, sweet journeys, stimulating ideas, reflection, prayer and interesting food.

I was lucky to spend time with my friend Kathleen. We took a trip to a store in Issaquah that I had not seen before, Spirit Journey. The owner was warm and welcoming. She has a number of wonderful items including handmade items (I am still thinking about a bag I saw adorned with some very colorful and unique horses), books, essential oils, cards. We partook of a healing treatment, the Bio-Cleanse Detox Footbath. It was wonderfully relaxing and refreshing. And, I didn't mind in the slightest that I was treated to a tasty lunch afterwards.

It lightened my heart to hear that Kathleen's son has completed his 8-9 years of military service with army, and is safely home.

And, I got to spend time with my friend Jan. We enjoyed a satisfying breakfast, and then a peaceful, scenic visit on a comfortable bench looking out of the Puget Sound from the shore at Edmonds. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we enjoyed watching ferries, cargo ships, sailboats, and speedboats making their way to a variety of destinations. We were joined by families playing on the beach, an assortment of walkers, and vocal crows. And the good conversation was nourishing and fun.

I was able to hear the author of some 16 plus books (including those about Bedlam Farm), John Katz, speak about his new, book – Soul of a Dog. He shared his views about our relationship with dogs including the fact they are probably the best manipulators of human beings on earth. He spoke of his concerns that we really to do not see dogs as the unique beings they are, but project onto them qualities of humans placing unnecessary burdens on them. He brought forth the point that dogs are neither good nor bad as they aren't making moral choices. In his experience, dogs work from instinct, not ethics, and don't have running narratives. I am pondering my past relationships with my own dogs.

Additionally, I got to see a favorite author and very inspirational speaker, Richard Bach. He talked a little about his new book Hypnotizing Maria, but more about life and being a writer. He has two phrases posted where he writes. The first, "Don't Think" (have fun). "If you're not having fun with story how can you expect the reader to?" The second, "Don't Care". "When you stop caring you recognize that what you have to give is your foolishness and craziness. And, he brought up an idea I like and have heard him speak on before: "Every writer in the world has a family. Our job as readers is to find the writers who are writing for the family that includes us." This idea resonates with me. Also, I understand he has a series of five books, The Ferret Chronicles, which I haven't read yet. So I am looking forward to the pleasure of that new world.

I finished reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young which I enjoyed. Someone told me they found it to be a religious book. I would say it is a wonderful mix of some religion, spirituality, and philosophy. It brought forth ideas that I will ponder, and dialogue and I want to re-read and absorb. Here's one small excerpt:

"It (the law) grants you the power to judge others and feel superior to them. You believe you are living to a higher standard than those you judge. Enforcing rules, especially in its more subtle expressions like responsibility and expectation, is a vain attempt to create certainty out of uncertainty. And contrary to what you might think, I have a great fondness for uncertainty. Rules cannot bring freedom; they only have the power to accuse." For better or worse, I tend to be a rule follower, and often expect the same of others especially in a work environment. So this passage has given me pause - that's a good thing.

To round out my week, I decided to try what looked like a fascinating food item, Snoqualmie Gourmet French Lavender Ice Cream. Flowers and ice cream? Why not? I neglected to give sufficient thought to the fact I've never been found of lavender scent. Oddly, I was amazed that it actually tasted and "smelled" strongly of lavenders. They do make a wonderful quality ice cream with real cream.  However, I think I will stick to my favorite, Vanilla.

dash of whimsy
touch of reverence
nourishing friends

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” - Mahatma Gandhi

May you have some fun

The Myriad of Me

"Whenever two people meet there are six present. There is the man as he sees himself, each as the other person sees him, and each man as he really is." - William James

many pieced mosiac
constellation of elements
ancestry and synastry
all this I am

May you enjoy who you are

Seeing Ricard Bach

 I am looking forward to seeing the author Richard Bach speaking about his new book Hypnotizing Maria tonight at 6:30pm at Third Place Books in Lake Forest. I remember loving his book Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah. As it's been a long time since I read, and thought I would enjoy re-reading it, below is an excerpt that I like:

"You are led through your lifetime by the inner learning creature, the playful spiritual being that is your real self.

Don't turn away from possible futures before you're certain you don't have anything to learn from them.

You're always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past."

a foot down the path
beginning is done
let destiny flow

"Show me the books he loves and I shall know the man far better than through mortal friends." - Dawn Adams

Edmonds - More Photos

“Don't grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach.” - Michelle Held

St. Edward State Park - More Photos

Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.  - Benjamin Disraeli

La Conner - More Photos

I travel not to go anywhere, but to go.  I travel for travel's sake.  The great affair is to move.   - Robert Louis Stevenson

Quiet Living

“Life is the art of drawing without an eraser.” John W. Gardner

stepping to silence
deep in the solace of night
we hold wishes close

I enjoyed seeing the blog by artist, illustrator, woodcrafter Karen Davis, Moonlight and Hares. I recommend taking a look a her beautiful works of art in several mediums.

And since I've been mentioning the current Jewish Holidays, I will include a link to virtual cantor where you can listen to the different holiday services, prayers, etc.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Returning To Our Highest Selves - Teshuva

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way-things I had no words for." - Georgia O'Keefe

 I enjoy the period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur each as a time of reflection and evaluation. It is the time to ask for forgiveness for both what we have and haven't in the past year. Tikkun magazine provides a workbook to be used by both Jewish and non-Jewish readers

Excerpt from HIGH HOLIDAY SUPPLEMENT From Tikkun magzine online:

An invitation to all people to join with the Jewish people
in using the period September 18 (RoshHashanah—the
Day of Remembering who we have been this last year)
through September 28 (Yom Kippur—the Day of Atone-
ment) to rethink our personal and communal reality and
engage with the process of teshuva (returning to our highest selves
and away from the ways we’ve missed the mark in this past year) is
outlined in the pages of this workbook.

The workbook provides questions like: What is spiritually out of alignment
in my relationships with…; Are You Taking Enough Time to Nourish Your Soul and Body? and offers outlines, suggestions, processes to assist people in self-evaluation.

“Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Christopher Robin to Pooh” A.A.  Milne

loving that which is

releasing all before

reflecting on the new

Blessings for a beautiful day

Happy Autumnal Equinox

"Youth is like spring, an over praised season more remarkable for biting winds than genial breezes.  Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits."  - Samuel Butler

luxury of time
watching crows sit
60 second eternity

Ah, time for cranberry sauce and pumpkin time, and wondering what this beautiful season will bring.

May Peace Prevail In Our Hearts

 From the website of The World Peace Prayer Society:

The Power of Words
Words carry vibrations strong enough to inspire, heal and transform the human heart as well as the Kingdom of plants, animals and all creation.

May Peace Prevail On Earth

Universal Prayer

Loka Samasta Sukino Bhavantu
Loka Samasta Sukino Bhavantu
Loka Samasta Sukino Bhavantu
OM
Shan'ti Shan'ti Shan'ti

(Loka Samasta Sukino Bhavantu =  May all the beings in all the worlds be happy
Shanti = peace)

Like a flower bud
peace bloom unfolds
fragrance of love enfolds

And on a light note:
"Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world." - Marilyn Monroe

Simple Cooking Wisdom - Edward Epse Brown

"Enchant, stay beautiful and graceful, but do this, eat well. Bring the same consideration to the preparation of your food as you devote to your appearance. Let your dinner be a poem, like your dress." - Charles Pierre Monselet

Wisdom from Edward Espe Brown's book Tomato Blessings and Radish Teachings - Recipes & Reflections:

"What makes food food interests me deeply. Not everything that is edible nourishes the spirit, or soothes our deeper hungers, and for food to be food it must  feed. We all know this, and that each of us is nourished by particular foods. Still we forget at times that it is not just the food  in front of us, but our readiness to receive, to be blessed with food, that allows food to be the feeding."

I had the pleasure of hearing Ed Brown speak at Third Place Books this week as they have released the Complete Tassajara Cookbook which includes many of the stories and recipes from Tomato Blessings book I quoted above. He is a cook, author and Zen priest.

For many years I had loudly proclaimed that I am not a cook. I have been changing that perception as I have always cooked things for myself that are delicious. After hearing Ed, I realize what I am is not a follower of recipe books.
The first thing I remember him saying is, "Taste what you put in your mouth." Such simple wisdom.

He talked about people worrying about cooking because it may not turn out right, i.e. exactly like the book says. And how we give up our capacity to make choices to follow what someone else tells us. And he shared anecdotes about writing a recipe with instructions to add seasoning to taste, and his editor leaving a sticky note: How much?.

It was the most refreshing talk on cooking I've ever heard, an affirmation and reminder. What a concept taste your food, relate to your food, use your own knowledge, and if you make a "mistake" you've something. I recommend any of his books which are available directly through Shambala Publications as well as bookstores. All his recipes are vegetarian.

"Food, like a loving touch or a glimpse of divine power, has that ability to comfort." - Norman Kolpas

dustings with earthy brown

simmering pieces golden orange

ah, cinnamon on warm mangoes

May you be nourished by that which surrounds you

La Conner Day Trip

“
“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” Don Wlliams, Jr.

I took an opportunity this week to take a day trip up La Conner. It's a nice waterfront town with boutiques, galleries, restaurants, inns. And, There is the Museum of Northwest Art and the Quilt and Textile Museum.

I did a little browsing, but I spent most of the time at the waterfront along with some other people watching the heron on the dock. and boats going by.

After the visit, I stopped at a wonderful roadside stand, Snow Goose Produce, in fir island in skagit valley. They're known for their very large ("immodest") ice creams in home made waffle cones as well as produce, cheese, and other local products. Additonally, they prove themselves to be good global citizens caring items from cambodia that support the humanitarian organization C.A.R.E.

It's for this soul to get a change of scenery though beauty is everywhere.

residing in a moment
living inside a sunset
opening to the all now

“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Path of Lovingkindness & Happy Rosh Hashanah

 “The highest form of wisdom is kindness” The Talmud

I showed up for work one day recently to find peppermint candies laid out all along  
my desk, and a note in large letters that said, "You Are Loved". This seemingly simple act touched me very deeply. And, the pleasure deepened when I overheard the co-worker telling some, . . ."and then I heard her making all these happy noises and I knew why". I enjoyed every peppermint, kept the note, the the beautiful memory.

There is so much we can do on a daily basis to uplift the world and those around us.

The excerpt below is from one of my favorite books by Rabbi David A. Cooper, God Is A Verb:

The path of generosity was enormously respected by the sages. The Talmud says, however, that "Our rabbis taught that lovingkindness (gemulit chesed) is superior to charity in three ways. 1) Charity can be done only with one's possessions, while lovingkindness can be done with one's person and one's possessions 2) Charity can be given only to the poor, while lovingkindness can be given to both rich and poor. 3) Charity can be given to the living only, while lovingkindness can be done both for the living and the dead."

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” Anne Frank

kindness lightens me
deeply it flows in
wraps heart in laughter

may your new year be filled with lovingkindess, love, beauty, laughter, health, peace, grace, learning & prosperity

Reflecting

"Life is pure adventure, and the sooner we realize that the quicker we will be able to treat life as art." Maya Angelou

welcome soft sadness
aching alongside the heart
emptiness fills with shadows

Primitive Mask

stirrings of sadness swirl
compassion comes like velvet
softly brushing against my soul

Pivotal Time - Great Invocation

It's the end of summer, the end of the Jewish Year, Ramadan. This time of year always feels like a powerful transition point. I want to include another favorite "prayer", that has hung on my wall for many years, as posted of the Lucis Trust site:

Great Invocation (adapted)

From the point of Light within the mind of God
Let light stream forth into human minds
Let Light descend on Earth.

From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into human hearts
May the Coming One return to Earth.

From the centre where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide all little human wills
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.

From the centre which we call the human race
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.

Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.

After finishing this post, I checked my email, I received this message from a local healer and worldserver, Karen Johannsen. Thank you, Karen

Dear friends,

Next week brings two wonderful opportunities to clarify our intentions and unite in a global effort to manifest peace. The world day of peace is on Monday, September 21 and will be celebrated all over the planet. Below is a link to one website that offers a way to actively participate in this focus from the comfort of your own home.

Each of us has an opportunity to participate in a unique global service for the International day of Peace on September 21. Steve Nation, a trusted and experienced co-worker (in the one work for humanity) has designed a simple way to sign up to say the Great Invocation as you focus on a new culture of peace emerging in our civilization.

With tremendous power, this invocation is said to be pronounced by the Christ every day. I encourage you to sign up to join this world vigil. In a 15 minute selection, you would say the invocation once at the beginning and once at the end. You can sign up for as many time slots as you wish. This invocation has spread to more than 70 languages. It does not belong to any religion or other institution.
This is the link to check the Global Meditation Vigil and to sign up to participate -- each from his/her own home.

http://www.intuition-in-service.org/peaceVigil.cfm

Connecting & The Art of Jesse

open your heart
let it sing out
then it will dance

"Drawing is among the most personal things you can do. It doesn't have any rhetoric or anything to tell. It's a dialogue between the art and yourself" - Santiago Calatrava-architect

I found the quote above on one of interesting and beautiful the blogs of the artist Jesse Mendez: The Main Art Blog @ 1968.

Jesse has two other blogs. The Flower Blog @ 1968 which has a wonderful subtitle "Welcome friends thank you for being so beautiful to me and for touching my heart with your love and respect..." There are beautiful photos, poems, and original artwork. And The High Art Blog @ 1968 with latest post of a mask, and in the archives I loved seeing photos of original sketches.

I haven't seen everything there yet. I really enjoyed bright, vibrant, bold colored hands and hearts. All three blogs are worth visiting for visual and "literary" enjoyment.

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You too? I thought I was the only one." - C.S. Lewis

So if you pop by again, Jesse, I think I found your sites. Being a hunt and peck techie, I haven't yet figured out how to comment on a comment. So thanks so adding beautiful and new pathways to enjoy.

Namaste

Quick Poem & Post

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." Dr. Seuss

sentinel of time sings now
teasing light flickers through
walking slowly unsnuggling

Thanks Jesse for coming by and leaving a comment, appreciate it will comment more later.

May you have a blessed day

Prayers & New Beginnings

"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." - Mother Teresa

The photo is of a colorful tree in Saint Edward State Park.

I just spent some peaceful time lighting healing candles and saying prayers at one of my favorite sites, Gratefulness.org. There is even a Gratefulness Labyrinth Pilgrimage. Brother David Steindl-Rast has such an inspiring site. If you want a positive place to visit this is it. The following quote is on their site for today:

"Every morning is like a new reincarnation into this world. Let us take it then for what it is and live each moment anew." Paul Brunton

My thoughts are, also, turning to Rosh Hashanah 5770 (Jewish New Year)which begins at sundown on Friday September 18 and ends at nightfall on Sunday September 20 this year. Thinking of a new beginning, I want to include a bit of wisdom directly quoted from the National Center for Jewish Healing website: Tools and Resources:

Hessed/Random and Not-so-Random Acts of Kindness/Tikkun Olam

An important counter-balance to all the bad, depressing news — is to focus on specific deeds of care and lovingkindness that directly "repair the world" (Tikkun Olam.) These acts can tilt the scales, emotionally and spiritually, and support hope and resilience, if not optimism. Volunteer opportunities abound, and you can also create your own, by offering to shop or clean for an elderly or disabled community member, cooking for a shelter, cleaning a public park, or tutoring a child. These kinds of win/win opportunities can help us feel empowered, recognized, and appreciated.

"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito." - Dalai Lama XIV

And my unrelated poem for today:

simple hearing it is not
head stuffed with self
listening well escapes me

May you listen with your heart

Flowering Sun

Contemplative Day

"Simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world."
— Laozi (Tao Te Ching)

Yesterday was another good day for prayer, contemplation, remembrance, and a short road trip to a peaceful spot. I spent some time with the sun, grass and trees in Saint Edward State Park which was former Catholic Seminary. Picture of one of the buildings above.

crows squabble in trees
seaplane flows through clouds
sun dances in my heart

After this serene time, I went to Juanita Beach Friday Market with the view of Lake Washington and live music. Amidst the vibrant fruits, vegetables, flowers was a heartwarming sign over the vegetables - Do you need prayer, ask us to pray for us - we really want you to.

"The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places.
But still there is much that is fair. And though in all lands, love is now
mingled with grief, it still grows, perhaps, the greater." - J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings)

I have decided to include at least one "poem" each day. I shall have to look up the definition of poem . . .
later

why pretend to Haiku
I'm older and slower
three lines are easy,too

Day of Remembrance - Serenity Prayer

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)" - Holy Bible: King James Version

As we come into this day of national remembrance, September 11, I am mindful of the second prayer I ever learned. The Serenity Prayer. The first 4 lines of this prayer hung over our television when I was going up. Like the Lords Prayer and Prayer of St. Francis, the prayer is a part of me and my life. Now feels like a good time to post it here:

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Plato

May we find compassion for all beings including ourselves

Diversity - Spritually Satisfying

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou

I went to the Interfaith Service at Lynnwood, WA, Unity Church tonight. First, I was delighted to see what a beautiful church they have with long open windows that allow you to feel you are in a grove as you are surrounded with a view of trees.

It was the 15th year this congregation had held this service. The prayer theme was Reach In Reach Out We Can Change the world. This was the perfect service for me. The music was a beautiful blend of voices, languages, traditions. The harmonizing of the voices was pleasing even more so was the weaving of Hindu, Islam, and English lyrics.

A representative of the Islamic faith sang a beautiful Muslim prayer, a Buddhist teacher read an inspiring poem, there was a Native prayer to the 4 directions, a Cherokee morning song, an African prayer, a Jewish prayer, a Hindu prayer. Each nourishing in a different way touching parts of my soul. Some familiar, some totally new experiences. And the ending prayer was the beloved favorite below:

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

My first visit was very emotionally & spiritually satisfying. Thank you, Mary, for opening the door that brought me to this experience.

late night silent prayers
morning prayers aloud
all prayers awash with love

World Prayer Day & The Lords Prayer

I felt a good beginning to World Pray Day for me was sharing the Lords Prayer as the King James version was the first prayer I ever learned. As a child of about 10, I felt smug learning this prayer from a small prayer book given to me for free by a man on a street corner in Redondo Beach, California. I can remember siting on my front porch reciting it to myself. Not having be raised in any religion, I still felt a connection to this prayer. That connection only deepened and widened as an adult when someone shared the translation from Aramaic with me.

Below are three translations of the Lord's Prayer from a wonderful site The Nazarene Way. There is a great deal of information about the evolution of this prayer plus other translations at their site.

Lords Prayer, from the original Aramaic
Translation by Neil Douglas-Klotz in Prayers of the Cosmos

O Birther! Father- Mother of the Cosmos
Focus your light within us - make it useful.
Create your reign of unity now-
through our fiery hearts and willing hands
Help us love beyond our ideals
and sprout acts of compassion for all creatures.
Animate the earth within us: we then
feel the Wisdom underneath supporting all.
Untangle the knots within
so that we can mend our hearts' simple ties to each other.
Don't let surface things delude us,
But free us from what holds us back from our true purpose.
Out of you, the astonishing fire,
Returning light and sound to the cosmos.
Amen.

Lords Prayer, from Aramaic into Old English

Translation by G.J.R. Ouseley from The Gospel of the Holy Twelve

Our Father-Mother Who art above and within:
Hallowed be Thy Name in twofold Trinity.
In Wisdom, Love and Equity Thy Kingdom come to all.
Thy will be done, As in Heaven so in Earth.
Give us day by day to partake of Thy holy Bread, and the fruit of the living Vine.
As Thou dost forgive us our trespasses, so may we forgive others who trespass against us.
Shew upon us Thy goodness, that to others we may shew the same.
In the hour of temptation, deliver us from evil.
Amun.

The Lord's Prayer Dated 1611 AD (King James Bible)

Our father which art in heauen,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen.
Giue us this day our daily bread.
And forgiue us our debts as we forgiue our debters.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliuer us from euill.
Amen.

"For all that has been, thanks; to all that will be, yes." Dag Hammarskjold

World Prayer Day - Sept. 10

Thinking of World Prayer Day starting in less than an hour. Thoughts turn to Mother Teresa and one of her classic quotes:

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."

Looking forward to going to Interfaith Prayer Service at my friend Mary's Unity Church in Lynnwood, WA. There is something powerful and magical about group prayer and contemplation. I love the enfolding positive atmosphere I have found in all Unity congregations.

us round the oaken table
warm smiles, shared words
peanutbutter cupcake friends

Wandering Thoughts

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." - Maya Angelou

Grateful to find out our missing co-worker had been granted a day off by a manager who is on vacation - a clerical error caused such a stir.

I received an email with a suggestion from a local therapist and healer, Karen Johannsen, MA., to view a sweet short video called You Are The Light Movie - Mary Robinson Reynolds. I loved it enough to watch a few times. Very positive, upbeat. One line I thought was a good reminder for me was "You don't heal people by getting them to "get it."

I discovered Ms. Reynolds' website Make A Difference has a number of inspirational movies. She even included one perfect for me now called Autumn Blessings Movie. In addition to peaceful music and beautiful photos of fall are quotes such as: "Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn." - Elizabeth Lawrence

Of course, there's always looking out the window.

As I have read a little on Haiku, I see I have a captured it's essence in my three lined attempts. Yet, I am still enjoying the adventure of writing "pretend" Haiku. So I will continue though there may be only a mild resemblance to this form of poetry.

well loved, well worn
changes are past due
futon out, bed in

"Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Thank you to the blog Diary of a Self-Portrait for the Be Brave badge and inspiration at the side of my page. Snippet from that blog "Last week I wrote a post here announcing my commitment to doing one thing every day that scares me and asked others to join in. "

Silence Wanderings

"We are all atheists about most of the gods that societies have ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further." - Richard Dawkins

Still wondering about our co-worker who didn't show = no word. It was a quiet Labor Day in my world. I am wondering if my sense of quiet is a reflection of the shift in weather. I feel much more drawn inward, slower, contemplative, less wordy.

soft, quiet sighs
cozy comforter
snuggling warmth

To ponder: "You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts." - Khalil Gibran

May we be peaceful

Feeling Quiet Like Fall

J.R.R. Tolkien
"The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say"
— J.R.R. Tolkien

Thought this past week would be a good time for a road trip. Alas, my traveling companion did not appear, and my armchair was just so soft and inviting. Perhaps this week. As the weather shifts into fall so do the probable paths to follow in the outer world.

"A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving." — Laozi

Still feeling "fall" quiet, but some unrest. A young co-worker did not appear for his shift tonight. With no word from him, it left our hearts uneasy hoping he is safe and well.

windswept trees dancing
night shadows playing tag
glimpses of stars upon leaves

May you be safe

Tasting Winter

"Sometimes I can hear my bones straining under the weight of all the lives I'm not living"
— Jonathan Safran Foer (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close)

warm summer sun fades
turned into cool autumn rains
winter is slips into view

Feeling quiet as the weather shifts, enjoying warm toasted brown rice bread with blueberry rice nectar spread & a hot cup of Yerba Mate tea, watching the old, old TV show Mr. Ed. And enjoying it all.

Good news today, no increase in rent if I stay where I am. The dilemma about moving dissolves. I'll settle back into making this home for now.

"What's meant to be will always find a way" - Trisha Yearwood

Oh, and if you want to see some beautiful photos of castles check out AmO Life. A lttle awe is nice now and again, isn't it?

Downtown Chicago

chicagoland
jazzy lakeside town
mama's heart

"May you live every day of your life." — Jonathan Swift