When I hear the obituaries on the news,
the older I get,
the more people I know of
are dying off.
I was walking down the hall in a nursing home,
a bundle of towels piled high in my arms
when I heard that Truman Capote had died in 1986
My god,
when did Jerry Garcia die?
I missed that . . .
Leonard Cohen and Stephen Levine in 2016,
Janis Joplin back in 1970,
Charlotte Yoko Beck in 2011 . . .
Ram Dass and Mary Oliver died in 2019,
Thich Nhat Hanh in 2022,
and David Crosby in 2023,
not to mention the hundreds of others who have touched my life
in one way or another,
all of them deeply.
And here I am,
given many more days, weeks, and years than most of them,
and what do I have to show for those
days, weeks, and years?
How much money I’ve accumulated doesn’t matter . . .
nor does my fame or lack thereof.
The Love I’ve put out into the world matters
in whatever creative pattern I have strewn it,
as does my kindness and compassion.
The world is here for me to enjoy and appreciate . . .
it is where the Divine lives
in every cell
in every being.
Being grateful for all of it
is the best homage I can pay for this incredible,
unimaginable gift.
Nothing else
makes me ponder my life
and how I want to live it
than a poem by Mary Oliver,
whose last lines are . . .
“Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
I can celebrate being alive, by being present, paying attention, and by practicing kindness and gratefulness.
I will also take care of my physical form. Eat well, do some yoga, play music, and get out for a walk on this rainy and windy day here in the Sonoma Valley
.
I started my day with exercise, meditation and prayer. I can say a special thank you to my creator. I take deep breaths and look for signs of spring when I am outside.
Deann, I’m with you on thanking god. There’s a lot to be thankful for that we miss. We often get caught up in our minds and motives. God just gives with enthusiasm.
I hope to get outside for a walk even though it’s gray and rainy, just to breathe “outside air”. I’ve been overbooked with work and haven’t been able to be here in the morning, and just today I told myself I need my morning routine back. That’s a gift I’m giving myself. And maybe on that walk I go to the nearby bakery, get something delicious, and make sure I savor every bite.
I’m celebrating life today while having lunch with some friends from a church I served some 25 years ago. It’s crazy to think it’s been that long. The thoughts crossed my mind: They will think I’ve gotten so old! I’ve gained weight. I move like an old woman. But I then reminded myself…They have gotten older too! And we all now have grown children, grandchildren and some even great-grandchildren to brag about. And we all still have our spouses to lovingly complain about. And some have even started new businesses at this ripe old age. It will be glorious fun, I’m sure. And I’m grateful.
I’m celebrating managing to get to this site on my phone.My computer has issues and I’m awaiting the arrival of a new monitor. I’m thankful that I can read everyone’s responses to the daily question on my phone. Blessings to all.
I can too,
dear Carol Ann,
but my phone is a dinosaur
and tosses me off
if I try to edit or post,
but like you,
grateful I can read responses.
I hope your new monitor arrives soon. ♥
I have a to do list today. I am going to remember « I get to » rather than « I have to » today. I know it will add light and lightness to my day. And that is something to celebrate!🩷🌟
Mary Mantei, I love the technique. The ladder can feel pressuring while the former makes responsibility feel more joyful. or at least, reduces overwhelm.
Taking a deep breath, let go and enjoy the moment. Putting aside fear of what might be challenging again soon, hoping for being able to manage moment by moment as good as possible, with heart open and grateful.
Living with presence, awareness. I was told once, while I was a young man, best to move grazing animals to new pasture when half has been consumed. Take half and leave half. For the health of the pasture and for all other forms of life, that subsist on said pasture. I will add for the health of mother earth. I believe that was an unspoken truth from that gentleman to me many moons ago. I will celebrate life in this way. Using half and leaving half for other beings and mother earth. Peace, Love & Light.
P.S. Our spot on the earth received an inch of wet snow and Wolf Creek Pass over the Great Divide received 2 foot of snow. The pass was closed as the plows could not keep up with the snowfall for safe passage. Agua es Vida. Namaste.
If you haven’t already read it, I think you would enjoy The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. She first wrote a long essay on Emergence Magazine, then expanded it into a short book. Here’s the original article: https://emergencemagazine.org/essay/the-serviceberry/.
I learned to ski at Wolf Creek some 45 years ago. What a beautiful area! Skiers are delighted with that snow, but getting through the pass can be snarly. Skiing through those trees is one of the great joys and gratitudes of my life. Thanks for that reminder today
Tje message to me,
dear Joseph,
is to be sure not bleed anything to death . . .
always leave enough
that Nature can restore herself.
(Don’t ruin a good thing.) ♥
ps. I am very pleased to hear that you have gotten some snow . . .
perhaps this will help to nourish your animals and your land this spring.
Agua es, de hecho, vida.
Wow Joseph so much snow ! ⛄️ stay safe . I love the story about saving half or leaving half . It’s so delightful to see how much we already have and that we don’t need more . Whenever I’m feeling like I need more or worry about having enough I am letting go and trusting the universe. I have no reason to be so fearful because I have been blessed by always having exactly what I need and then some . Thank you for this lovely reminder.
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When I hear the obituaries on the news,
the older I get,
the more people I know of
are dying off.
I was walking down the hall in a nursing home,
a bundle of towels piled high in my arms
when I heard that Truman Capote had died in 1986
My god,
when did Jerry Garcia die?
I missed that . . .
Leonard Cohen and Stephen Levine in 2016,
Janis Joplin back in 1970,
Charlotte Yoko Beck in 2011 . . .
Ram Dass and Mary Oliver died in 2019,
Thich Nhat Hanh in 2022,
and David Crosby in 2023,
not to mention the hundreds of others who have touched my life
in one way or another,
all of them deeply.
And here I am,
given many more days, weeks, and years than most of them,
and what do I have to show for those
days, weeks, and years?
How much money I’ve accumulated doesn’t matter . . .
nor does my fame or lack thereof.
The Love I’ve put out into the world matters
in whatever creative pattern I have strewn it,
as does my kindness and compassion.
The world is here for me to enjoy and appreciate . . .
it is where the Divine lives
in every cell
in every being.
Being grateful for all of it
is the best homage I can pay for this incredible,
unimaginable gift.
Nothing else
makes me ponder my life
and how I want to live it
than a poem by Mary Oliver,
whose last lines are . . .
“Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
If nothing else,
I say,
“be grateful.” ♥
I can celebrate being alive, by being present, paying attention, and by practicing kindness and gratefulness.
I will also take care of my physical form. Eat well, do some yoga, play music, and get out for a walk on this rainy and windy day here in the Sonoma Valley
.
I started my day with exercise, meditation and prayer. I can say a special thank you to my creator. I take deep breaths and look for signs of spring when I am outside.
Deann, I’m with you on thanking god. There’s a lot to be thankful for that we miss. We often get caught up in our minds and motives. God just gives with enthusiasm.
No complaining!
Be grateful for everything.🙏🏻
Be love.
🕊️🩷
I hope to get outside for a walk even though it’s gray and rainy, just to breathe “outside air”. I’ve been overbooked with work and haven’t been able to be here in the morning, and just today I told myself I need my morning routine back. That’s a gift I’m giving myself. And maybe on that walk I go to the nearby bakery, get something delicious, and make sure I savor every bite.
Enjoy your walk in the rain and the sweet treat, Barb.
Thanks so much, Loc!
No problem, Barb.
By taking the time to enjoy the many gifts around me. Fresh air, sunshine, green houseplants, loved ones, my healthy body, etc.
I’m celebrating life today while having lunch with some friends from a church I served some 25 years ago. It’s crazy to think it’s been that long. The thoughts crossed my mind: They will think I’ve gotten so old! I’ve gained weight. I move like an old woman. But I then reminded myself…They have gotten older too! And we all now have grown children, grandchildren and some even great-grandchildren to brag about. And we all still have our spouses to lovingly complain about. And some have even started new businesses at this ripe old age. It will be glorious fun, I’m sure. And I’m grateful.
I’m celebrating managing to get to this site on my phone.My computer has issues and I’m awaiting the arrival of a new monitor. I’m thankful that I can read everyone’s responses to the daily question on my phone. Blessings to all.
Technology – the gift that keeps on giving,..
I can too,
dear Carol Ann,
but my phone is a dinosaur
and tosses me off
if I try to edit or post,
but like you,
grateful I can read responses.
I hope your new monitor arrives soon. ♥
I have a to do list today. I am going to remember « I get to » rather than « I have to » today. I know it will add light and lightness to my day. And that is something to celebrate!🩷🌟
Mary Mantei, I love the technique. The ladder can feel pressuring while the former makes responsibility feel more joyful. or at least, reduces overwhelm.
Taking a deep breath, let go and enjoy the moment. Putting aside fear of what might be challenging again soon, hoping for being able to manage moment by moment as good as possible, with heart open and grateful.
Good one, Ose. Challenges just come. No need to look for them. As I’ve said before, the greatest form of preparation is presence.
Hi Ose . Yes celebrating this moment. I hope you are well dear Ose . 💓🌻
Celebrate by living every moment to the fullest…..gratefully.
I will celebrate the gift of being alive today by continuing to enjoy the easy stretches of my life while it lasts.
Stay in the moment. Appreciate my breath. Place hands flat over my heart and notice my heartbeat. And say thank you for it all.
Stop.Look.Go. – Being Present.
Living with presence, awareness. I was told once, while I was a young man, best to move grazing animals to new pasture when half has been consumed. Take half and leave half. For the health of the pasture and for all other forms of life, that subsist on said pasture. I will add for the health of mother earth. I believe that was an unspoken truth from that gentleman to me many moons ago. I will celebrate life in this way. Using half and leaving half for other beings and mother earth. Peace, Love & Light.
P.S. Our spot on the earth received an inch of wet snow and Wolf Creek Pass over the Great Divide received 2 foot of snow. The pass was closed as the plows could not keep up with the snowfall for safe passage. Agua es Vida. Namaste.
If you haven’t already read it, I think you would enjoy The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World, by Robin Wall Kimmerer. She first wrote a long essay on Emergence Magazine, then expanded it into a short book. Here’s the original article: https://emergencemagazine.org/essay/the-serviceberry/.
Very glad to hear the snow is back!
I learned to ski at Wolf Creek some 45 years ago. What a beautiful area! Skiers are delighted with that snow, but getting through the pass can be snarly. Skiing through those trees is one of the great joys and gratitudes of my life. Thanks for that reminder today
Tje message to me,
dear Joseph,
is to be sure not bleed anything to death . . .
always leave enough
that Nature can restore herself.
(Don’t ruin a good thing.) ♥
ps. I am very pleased to hear that you have gotten some snow . . .
perhaps this will help to nourish your animals and your land this spring.
Agua es, de hecho, vida.
Wow Joseph so much snow ! ⛄️ stay safe . I love the story about saving half or leaving half . It’s so delightful to see how much we already have and that we don’t need more . Whenever I’m feeling like I need more or worry about having enough I am letting go and trusting the universe. I have no reason to be so fearful because I have been blessed by always having exactly what I need and then some . Thank you for this lovely reminder.