2009 Parliament of the World's Religions

"We are not this body. We have no name at all. We think we belong to this country. I think of this entire world as a small home. America is one room, Japan is one room, India is one room. We are just in a small home." Sri Karunamayi

so it is time to touch hearts globally
compassion unfolding reaching forward
interweaving a network of loving souls

From the website (karunamayi.org) of one of my beloved teachers, Sri Karunamayi:

Amma to Grace the Parliament of the World's Religions December 7-8, 2009

Amma Sri Karunamayi will grace the Parliament of World Religions in Melbourne, Australia this year as a featured speaker.

Her divine program will begin with a beautiful Observance and Meditation on the morning of December 7, 2009. This heart-warming discourse will bring inspiring tools to people from all faiths, so that individuals may discover the intrinsic oneness of all. Through such discoveries, says our beloved Amma, peace may ultimately be realized across the world and in our very hearts.

On December 8, 2009, Amma will address the entire Parliament alongside other eminent religious leaders. Her sure to be historic speech will highlight the power of women to promote global well-being, and the advancement of healthier, more peaceful societies.

Australian Aboriginal Invitation to the 2009 Parliament of the World's Religions



May we share our small home with grace and understanding

Think For Yourself?

"Believe nothing,
no matter where you read it
or who has said it,
not even if i have said it.
unless it agrees with your own reason
and your own common sense."

- Buddha

I handed this quote to one of the co-workers, Sara. She read it, wisely handed it back to me and said even this.

Just a quick post, more in a little while

What Next?

"I beg you . . . to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and . . .try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a foreign tongue. Do not seek the answers, which cannot be given to you because you would not be able to live with them. And the point is to live with them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will gradually, without noticing, live along some distant day into the answer." Rainier Maria Rilke in Letters To a Young Poet

I love benches particularly ones on or near the water. This photo is titled Waiting. I think of the Simon & Garfunkel song "Old Friends" when I see benches and the line from this song "sharing a park bench quietly." Thinking of my friend, Jan, it's her birthday today. Happy Birthday, my friend. Thank you for sharing the journey. It's great to know someone who can appreciate the beauty in each moment.

Whatever is "next" it will be fascinating.

Perspective

"If you wish to be fully alive you must develop a sense of perspective. Life is infinitefly greater than this trifle your heart is attached to and which you have given power to so upset you." Anthony De Mello

Creating A New Story

"Sometimes you gotta create what you want to be part of." Geri Weitzman

I feel really blessed in a lot of ways. I have what I consider the luxury of living alone with a wonderful circle of friends.

I'm not sure how spending less will more. But maybe I can work on buying more for less money. I enjoyed a lovely dinner of pulled pork, pepita rice, and mushroom stew on the patio of my local PCC Natural Market in Edmonds. I love eating the fresh, high quality food that use. And to drink - a Zevia soda naturally sweetned with stevia(herb).

I decided to take the plunge and by spinach and lettuce that was already cut off for me - I do have extra time right. I am trying a type of organic lettuce I haven't before French Crisp grown by Rents Due. I'm big on irony aka synchroncity.

After dinner I rent done to watch the sunset on the ferries and the ocean. Peaceful, soft, magical twilight time. Still playing with the camera, clueless about settings, finding myself somewhat shy to be out publicly in the guise of a photographer. Frozen bits on the world on a little bitty screen, fascinating. May post some later.

Weaving My Story

"Do not be content with the stories of others, unfold your own myth." Rumi

I just missed posting for Wednesday. I thought I might make for 11:59PM, but I missed. I was enthralled with enjoying wonderful fresh Rainier blueberries in heavy cream with a few drizzles of dark amber agave nectar. Soft, sweet, sumptuous and soothing.

Oh, well. Yesterday was a relatively good day. I woke up the uneasy feeling regarding loss of hours at work still preying on my mind. I have done some yelping about it out of fear. Upset with myself for choosing to live on the edge of a financial fiasco by working part time. Reverberations of my lost two job losses still ringing in my ears - both outsourced to foreign locations.

Any news story would tell me I am not alone in having financial insecurity. Within my own small group of friends one person is on voluntary leave due to business slowdown, one was just asked to take extra unpaid time off, one just lost her job after the company was sold, one self-employed took time off to care for son, and had to quit do to having an unscrupulous boss. So I could say what I am experiencing is normal.

Contemplating Change

"Nothing is certain: everything is safe." Charles Williams

Feeling a little more of a precarious situation has I wonder about limiting monetary outflow. Enjoying my organic steamed lentils with the new unexpected leisure time. Free flowing time, kind of like finger painting. It's probably as easy as:

"Whatever you have, spend less." Samuel Johnson

Did I need someone else to remind me of the truth. Yes. Yes I did.

Why Not ?

"Passion, for all its dangers, needs uncaging if we are to move towards completeness as human beings." Philip Sheldrake

My hours were unexpectedness reduced at work. I am feeling financially fretful. However, I am enjoying the luxury of more time: to sip Chai, eat wonderful organic Gorgonzola Ravioli, discover how to use today's new widget and the path to Stumble On, and to Twitter.

I having a great time on my creative journey through the internet, now I can post reviews on Stumble On, look for new widgets. I think I saw a widget for a blog catalog. Away I go to look for an capture it for my blog. Hopefully, I can figure out how to list my blog in their directory if it's for everyone.

Blessed with the passion of a semi-technophobe venturing into an unexpectedly warm and gentle ocean.

Heartfelt

From the book Travels in a Stone Canoe by Arden & Wall:

"Life is a holy task you can't think your way to the truth."

Knowing it is good to follow your heart & doing it a to oft separate. I was blessed with this beautiful heart mobile from my friend Kathleen - an excellent reminder of the path that usually leads to right place or a wonderful journey.

Simple Sketch - Abundant Women

Lewis Richmond : "True accomplishment is not about winning, acquiring, or being on top. It is about sharing, giving and including."

Brushstrokes

Welcome to my unfolding canvas.

This is a tentative beginning, my first digital brushstrokes in a new medium. I am just learning how to set up a blog, and wandering the paths to find the canvas templates I want to use. So for those of you who are artists this is just "a rough". I hope to find my way to create a space that is more personal, but right now I am just borrowing what a fellow artist was kind enough to share with everyone.

I love quotes. Here's one that fits from Canadian author Sharon Butala:

"A stranger's very presence changes things, and forces us to change in response, even if only infinitesimally."

Grateful to have begun.