Beginning A Sacred Journey - Happy Gregorian New Year 2010

A piece of an interesting and information article From the website infoplease.com:

The Curious History of the Gregorian Calendar
Eleven days that never were
by Ben Snowden

September 2, 1752, was a great day in the history of sleep.

That Wednesday evening, millions of British subjects in England and the colonies went peacefully to sleep and did not wake up until twelve days later. Behind this feat of narcoleptic prowess was not some revolutionary hypnotic technique or miraculous pharmaceutical discovered in the West Indies. It was, rather, the British Calendar Act of 1751, which declared the day after Wednesday the second to be Thursday the fourteenth.

Prior to that cataleptic September evening, the official British calendar differed from that of continental Europe by eleven days—that is, September 2 in London was September 13 in Paris, Lisbon, and Berlin. The discrepancy had sprung from Britain's continued use of the Julian calendar, which had been the official calendar of Europe since its invention by Julius Caesar (after whom it was named) in 45 B.C.

Caesar's calendar, which consisted of eleven months of 30 or 31 days and a 28-day February (extended to 29 days every fourth year), was actually quite accurate: it erred from the real solar calendar by only 11½ minutes a year. After centuries, though, even a small inaccuracy like this adds up. By the sixteenth century, it had put the Julian calendar behind the solar one by 10 days.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered the advancement of the calendar by 10 days and introduced a new corrective device to curb further error: century years such as 1700 or 1800 would no longer be counted as leap years, unless they were (like 1600 or 2000) divisible by 400.

If somewhat inelegant, this system is undeniably effective, and is still in official use in the United States. The Gregorian calendar year differs from the solar year by only 26 seconds—accurate enough for most mortals, since this only adds up to one day's difference every 3,323 years.

Despite the prudence of Pope Gregory's correction, many Protestant countries, including England, ignored the papal bull. Germany and the Netherlands agreed to adopt the Gregorian calendar in 1698; Russia only accepted it after the revolution of 1918, and Greece waited until 1923 to follow suit. And currently many Orthodox churches still follow the Julian calendar, which now lags 13 days behind the Gregorian.

May you enjoy the measurement of time

Common Sense Loses It Way

help! time clock swallows people's sensibilities

it "thinks" she never came back from lunch

fearfulness of incorrect remuneration ignites fury And a little story quoted in Midrash Rabbah, Vayikra 4:6 found on the Chabad.org Stories site:

A group of people were travelling in a boat. One of them took a drill and began to drill a hole beneath himself.

His companions said to him: "Why are you doing this?" Replied the man: "What concern is it of yours? Am I not drilling under my own place?"

“Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.” - William James

May you enjoy the company of others

More Mother Thoughts

late into the night she worked
rose early to feed those in her care
her sacrifice of self for love - mother

"A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie." - Tenneva Jordan


May we remember she who gave us life

Silent Downtown

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche

dark night empty multi-floored giants

bright lights shining for no one

downtown waiting for Monday

May we enjoy the light

Happy Hanukkah

"Celebrate the little things in life, appreciate tomorrow, love your neighbor or don’t, but never condemn yourself to a life without cause to celebrate and be thankful for what you have. Never forget the people you love and love them when you have an occasion to do so. Celebrate their life and celebrate yours." - Anonymous (found on the website Favorite Famous Quotes)

From the website Jewish Outreach Institute

How We Celebrate

Hanukkah is the most widely celebrated American Jewish holiday, possibly because it is a fun, child-centered occasion. It is celebrated with excellent food, an exchange of gifts, and the lighting of beautiful menorahs (special Hanukkah candelabras) filled with brightly colored candles. Unlike some of the other Jewish holidays, which require intense spiritual reflection or elaborate preparation, it is easy to celebrate.

Many Jewish holidays commemorate events invested with historical and religious meaning, and Hanukkah is no exception. Hanukkah means "rededication," and it commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by foreign forces. The celebration also reaffirms the continuing struggle to live by God's commandments and to lead Jewish lives.

When all is said and done, perhaps the most important message of Hanukkah may be found in the name of the holiday itself: Dedication. When Jews have dedicated themselves, through faith and action, to the pursuit of high religious and human ideals, Judaism has been strong. That imperative, to strengthen our religion and our people, remains an important challenge at this season, in every generation. Hanukkah begins every year on the 25th of the Hebrew month of "Kislev." This year, the 25th of Kislev corresponds to the evening of December 11th, 2009 .

vistas of ancient mountains as the tableaux
sunshine bouncing of tops of tethered boats
celebrating life on the edge of the Salish Sea

May we celebrate each other

Working Vs Socializing

a little stressed a little harried
missing reading circle food and fun
yet my bank account is smiling

"The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same." Carlos Castaneda

May we enjoy what we do

Global Citizenship

how does a country end and begin
what makes a tree American or Canadian
when did you become a foreigner

The quotes and definitions below is from the site Ikeda quotes Words of Wisdom by Buddhist philosopher Daisaku Ikeda on Global Citizenship:

"Earth is originally a green oasis with no need for national borders; it is the venue for the shared existence of humankind, the embodiment of our common destiny. The times demand that we rethink the questions: to what end national identity? to what purpose national borders?"

The wisdom to perceive the interconnectedness of all life and living.

 The courage not to fear or deny difference; but to respect and strive to understand people of different cultures, and to grow from encounters with them.

  The compassion to maintain an imaginative empathy that reaches beyond one's immediate surroundings and extends to those suffering in distant places.

These qualities are the essential elements of global citizenship.

May I recognize you as my family

Watching

conferring over time spent away from work

she with clean floors & counters, I clean laundry

both sharing pride of accomplishment

"Expect nothing, live frugally on surprise." Alice Walker

Charity

fog covered morning peaceful easy day
filled with good conversation, bacon and chai
enjoying the wonder of fresh laundered clothes

"There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child. There are seven million." - Walt Streightiff

One of the things I do daily on the internet is go to the hunger site. Both of quotes today were found on their site.

At this site, at no cost to the user, you have an opportunity to do good with a few simple clicks. With one click under the tab:

Hunger - sponsors donate 1.1 cup of food

Breast Cancer - helps pays for free mammograms

Child Health - helps promote awareness as well as prevent and treat devastating childhood illness through groups such as Mercy Corps

Literacy - sponsors pay for books

Rainforest - protects 11.4 square feet of rainforest.

Animal Rescue - sponsors donate .6 of a bowl of food

Maybe the act doesn't sound like much, but as example the site shows 169,862 cups of (people) food donated yesterday, and 238,234 bowls of pet food.

It's a very easy way to be charitable.

The last line of the Charter for Compassion:

"It (compassion) is the path to enlightenment, and indispensible to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community."

"Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children." - Sitting Bull

May we make a more peaceful world for us all

Finding Warmth

shivering cold icy toes
missing southern winters
sipping warm ginger tea

"The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the imagination."  - Ward Elliot Hour

Winters Sky

ice crystals glistening
moon strong and full
winter hugs the air

Soft Morning

waking slowly on a foggy day
hazlenut gorgonzola scone
a delicious beginning with tea

"The natural world is the larger sacred community to which we belong." Thomas Berry

May we be grateful for the food we receive

Potential

“Each difficult moment has the potential to open my eyes and open my heart” - Myla Kabat-Zinn

who are we who will we become
touchstones hope love compassion
continue expanding the possibilities

“We are all gifted. That is our inheritance.” - Ethel Waters

May we enjoy the quantum quandaries of life

Hidden Treasure

kindness hidden within small spaces
freeing love through varied actions
knowing we step forward together

"We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies." 6th line of the Charter For Compassion

I worked Thanksgiving Day as I do most years. To use my friend Jan's word, I felt smug being able to offer the gift of a day off to someone else to be with their family. However, there are hidden gifts to working any holiday. With Thanksgiving, most years it has been I have had the pleasure of sitting down to my delicious home cooked meals without having to cook at all.

My favorite thing about working the holidays is how kind, grateful, and appreciate people are when they find someone who can holiday them on a holiday. I always receive many spoken blessings and well wishes. This unsolicited kindness lifts my spirits. I am grateful to be of service.

May we progress towards more and more kindness - it just plain feels good whether it be in the giving or the receiving.

over 23,000 have affirmed the Charter

"Ohenton Kariwahtekwen" - Iroquois Thanksgiving Address

gratitude without measure
abundance beyond counting
thanksgiving a blessed event

Though related only by intention, Thanksgiving Day seems the perfect time to post the "Ohenton Kariwahtekwen" (as translated the website for the Mohawk Nation)

Thanksgiving Address

Greetings to the Natural World

The People

Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as people.

Now our minds are one.

The Earth Mother

We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our mother, we send greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Waters

We give thanks to all the waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms-waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of Water.

Now our minds are one.

The Fish

We turn our minds to the all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Plants

Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.

Now our minds are one.

The Food Plants

With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting of thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Medicine Herbs

Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.

Now our minds are one.

The Animals

We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We are honored by them when they give up their lives so we may use their bodies as food for our people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.

Now our minds are one

The Trees

We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many people of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.

Now our minds are one.

The Birds

We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds-from the smallest to the largest-we send our joyful greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

The Four Winds

We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help us to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.

Now our minds are one.

The Thunderers

Now we turn to the west where our grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We are thankful that they keep those evil things made by Okwiseres underground. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.

Now our minds are one.

The Sun

We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.

Now our minds are one.

Grandmother Moon

We put our minds together to give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of woman all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.

Now our minds are one.

The Stars

We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to the Stars.

Now our minds are one.

The Enlightened Teachers

We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring teachers.

Now our minds are one.

The Creator

Now we turn our thoughts to the creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.

Now our minds are one.

Closing Words

We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.

Now our minds are one.

Today's six word story: The people showed gratitude for everything.

May you enjoy everything and "everyone" you encounter today

Remembering Love

love is multi-colored and speckled
it isn't one flavor or fixed in time
look as it ebbs flows and covers all

May you recognize love in all it's colours

Listening Well

listening is an act of heart
hearing stories is a healing act
may you share your life

"It is the province of knowledge to speak And it is the privilege of wisdom to listen." - Oliver Wendell Holmes

If you listen to NPR(National Public Radio), you have probably heard of StoryCorps - "Our mission is to honor and celebrate one another’s lives through listening." I love the whole idea, and love their byline - Help StoryCorps create a nation of listeners. I do wish I asked more questions of my family and gleaned more family history.
Most of us have played some version of the game telephone when we were young. A word or sentence is whispered round the circle and, usually, comes back mangled and a faint shadow or untelligible from the original words. As kids, it's comical.
Now as an adult the lack of communication can be astounding at times. It seems that it is hard for us to slow down and listen with focus. Just the simple act of answering phone, "This is Lynn" is met with response like, Hello, Susan, Hello, Ren, Hello, Randy, Hello, Lance. It is mystifying sometimes. Then I think of my own self-involvement, and the mind  (ok, and my mouth) chatter on while listening quietly would be the inappropriate and kind thing to do.

November, 27, 2009 is the National Day of Listening sponsored by StoryCorps. From their site:

Make a yearly tradition of listening to and preserving a loved one’s story. The stories you collect will become treasured keepsakes that grow more valuable with each passing generation.

"The opposite of talking is not listening. The opposite of talking is waiting". - Fran Lebowitz

May you stop to listen, and may you be heard

Hoping

aligning the global stars
fulfilling simple dreams
hoping for all humanity

"We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion." 5th lineof the Charter For Compassion

May we live compassionately

New six story: Small changes lead to better world.

Over 20,000 people have affirmed the Charter

What About Kindness

"What this world needs is a new kind of army - the army of the kind."  - Cleveland Amory

kindness smiles upon me
divine fire manifests compassion
calling forth love and grace

"To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity." - 4th line of the Charter For Compassion

I was pleased to note the names of designer Kenneth Cole and Sir Richard Branson (Founder of Virgin Group) among the over 19,000 supporters that have confirmed the Charter For Compassion.

Even the smallest acts of kindness enrich the world. It matters greatly to recipient of each small act of kindness and compassion.

Yesterday during the Lakshmi puja, one of the things Sri Amarananda Bhairavan asked to commit to was performing at least one small act of compassion towards one animal within the next year.

It seems like such a small request. Yet, such a beautiful acknowledgement of the importance of compassion and we each have the ability and the time to contribute on some level.

May we contribute to kindness

Pujas - A Time of Worship, Light & Devotion

ceremonial harmonies of light
sounds evoke and invoke
focus remains on the heart

 I was blessed to be able to attend a Ganapati Puja last night and a Lakshmi Puja. Both pujas were led by vedic priest and author Sri Amarananda Bhairavan.
Both experiences were beautiful and inspiring. I am still absorbing all the wonderful energies. I found Sri Bhairavan to be embodiment of kindness, compassion, and wisdom.

I was impressed by his assistant, Harsha, who was equally humble, open, kind, and compassionate. I was very touched when she gave me a wonderful, unexpected gift at the end of the second puja.

From his website, Deep Soul Healing:

Sri Amarananda Bhairavan, affectionately known as Nandu, is an internationally renowned Vedic Priest and Master Healer. During his joyous childhood amongst an extended family on the west coast of India, Amarananda trained in Oti vidya, a tantra unique to Odiyyathis or tribal medicine women of Kerala. Initiated at the age of nine by his aunt, Amarananda Bhairavan remains a direct descendant of this eight thousand year old tradition of goddess worship. His mystical education and initiations in the ancient Oti vidya tantric practices are the subject of his two visionary books: Kali’s Odiyya: A Shaman’s True Story of Initiation and Medicine of Light: A Shaman’s Journey through Mystic Space-Time.

The definition below is from the Smithsonian Institution:

Puja: Expressions of Hindu Devotion   

Puja is the act of showing reverence to a god, a spirit, or another aspect of the divine through invocations, prayers, songs, and rituals. An essential part of puja for the Hindu devotee is making a spiritual connection with the divine. Most often that contact is facilitated through an object: an element of nature, a sculpture, a vessel, a painting, or a print.

During puja an image or other symbol of the god serves as a means of gaining access to the divine. This icon is not the deity itself; rather, it is believed to be filled with the deity's cosmic energy. It is a focal point for honoring and communicating with the god. For the devout Hindu, the icon's artistic merit is important, but is secondary to its spiritual content. The objects are created as receptacles for spiritual energy that allow the devotee to experience direct communication with his or her gods.

Bless all those who reach out to touch another's heart