As I read Shunryu Suzuki’s “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” last night. I came across some passages where he talked about honoring our culture. Going beyond compatibility is totally different from barking up the wrong tree. This is something I can learn from the Vietnamese community. Look no further than my parents with my mom battling Step 2A breast cancer with a positive Her2 test and my dad having multiple mialoma no matter how treatable their cancer conditions may be. It’s important to be able to be versital in both giving and receiving care.
I give great credit and respect to Paw Mu. This is why she often got close to me and made sure I was cared for even if it made me uncomfortable at the time. The distance between Burma and Vietnam is like the US and Canada afterall.
Maybe I will retire in 7 years, if no political choice changes the current status quo. For the moment I don’t think much about this perspective. But I feel like it’s a challenging time.
I read this early this morning, and to be honest, I can’t say that any new perspectives have opened up for me recently. I’m still working in and through some “old” perspectives that have occupied me enough of late!
I can’t think of anything recently that’s
particularly new. Through reading, I am
reminded of other perspectives to keep
in mind. But, whenever I get a chance to
talk to someone, especially someone new
to me, and especially when I can ask a few
questions and really listen, I get a window
into their reality. A moment to see the
world through a different set of eyes.
Mostly this happens with older people,
but it can happen with younger folks too.
It’s really one of my favorite things and
I wish there was more of it in my life.
The sharing of experiences is such a
human thing.
It’s not a new perspective just a need for deeper acceptance. I have not been posting many responses because I can not sit at the computer very long and typing is becoming an issue. I do try to read the question each day and read your responses which are always helpful to me. Hopefully, things will improve. Time will tell. Blessings always and all ways. I’ll respond when able.
Carol I’ve noticed and have been thinking of you too. I use the computer for my morning activities, however, there are times when I’ve used my cell phone – and the microphone is much easier than texting/typing … just a small suggestion.
Loving kindness to you.
Carol I enjoy your posts and love your perspective on so many things. I hope you feel better and glad to know you are reading. I’ve read some old posts and you are a very talented writer. I would definitely buy published works from you!
I have decided to revisit my original social activism goal of creating opportunities for other younger 2nd generation Vietnamese Americans with autism and mental health struggles to help them be able to learn and grow. “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” has opened up quite a few perspectives for me. Being pushed to try new foods and having 20 questions bombarded on me have been triggering. For the food, I tell people that I have food allergies to strong smells and offer to smell first before taking a bite, because I’m an environmentalist. Wasting food makes me uncomfortable. We have plenty of food in the US. It’s important to think of the less fortunate, especially the ones in Africa. As far as socializing goes, I just know my people. The family members I meet more regularly are usually the ones I feel more comfortable with. There’s a meutual understanding. With that being said, here are my top 3 perspectives.
1. Convert to the Asian Base. It’s actually not as hard as I thought. My version will still come out quite Americanized when all said and done. There’s still a mountain of work to go, but improvement in the area of accessability for people with autism and mental health struggles has certainly been made throughout my lifetime even in Vietnam. Having the backing of my family helps. Family support is everything in the Asian community. We don’t need to be accepted by society, but we need to be accepted by our families. We need them
2. Stretch goal to lifetime. I originally had this social activism goal as a Neow Year’s resolution. A common mistake young people have made with myself included is that we’ve allowed ambition to get the best of us getting into the mindset of doing x, y, and z in t amount of time. We have so many great ideas but have gone about social activism the wrong way screaming, holering, preaching, and acting out of rebelion instead of thinking of others to get our way which is why we’re never satisfied and not being taken seriously by older generations. Stretching my goal out gives me the luxury to have the best of both worlds where I can live a simple lifestyle and still be able to raise awareness.
3. Have a singular focus on area of expertees. People with autism, used to be known as aspergers, have been widely criticized for a hyper-focused mindset on one area. It’s good to have many interests and know the world beyond ourselves, but I also feel that a singular focused on our areas of expertees and responsibility reduces: pressure, ignorance, and controversy. One of the last things needed is to be asked to speak on hot-button topics we’re uninforfed about. I was born to be a piano player just like with Kobe Bryant for basketball.
The idea that fear can be passed down to us or learned from our parents without us realizing it or understanding that it’s not ours. For me, fear of flying is an example of a “learned fear” for me, and once I really started working on getting over that fear, I realized that it was never really mine in the first place. It makes me think, how many other feelings, behaviors, emotions —- particularly those I am not fond of —- were learned and aren’t mine at all.
With the recent diagnosis of a rare disorder for my husband, I am working on balance and being in the present moment. The question, “If you had one day to live, how would you live it?” Has taken on a new importance/perspective.
I am ready for new perspectives to open up regarding moving our life and our business to another state. While it all feels good and right, it is still very scary with lots of moving parts that have to happen before we can go.
What I notice regarding new perspectives, is that I can hold a perspective on something and then it widens, I take it to another level. Right now, it seems in order to be present and engaged with a huge project my husband and I are undertaking (removing our grass and redesigning our front yard with hard scape and landscape), I have to ré-prioritize and let some things that are important to me go. And then I start to question what the heck are we doing, what will the neighbors think, and on it goes. This usually happens about 3 a.m. 🥱
What is true is that I am excited about this project, and at the same time, I am working through some concerns. My perspective shift is that when I look forward, rather than backward, I see the creativity, the challenges, the fun, the ecological benefit we are creating. Really requires my presence in the now in every way. And patience in the process. This project is really giving me the opportunity to practice being right where we are, and trusting in it all.
Have been reading, studying and reflecting on the work of Teilhard de Chardin lately. The whole area of evolutionary consciousness is expanding my horizons profoundly. Hoping to spend this beautiful day outdoors to live into the reality of the Cosmic Christ more deeply today. Namaste, everyone.
My husband and I are fans of Teilhard de Chardin. We belong to the American Teilhard Association which pre-pandemic met annually at Union Theological Seminary.
Cheryl and I traveled to Dinosaur National Monumnet in the northwest area of Colorado and the northeast area of Utah. Fossils always bring a new perspective to the collective curiosity of human beings. Hiking the ridge to Harpers Corner in the park to overlook the confluence of the Yampa and Green Rivers, two major tributaries to the Colorado River, was quite the view. Agua es Vida.
I am seeking balance with home, work, and hobbies. I am fortunate they are able to overlap. Nevertheless, I am feeling overwhelmed. While, I haven’t developed the new perspective, I am open to it. Perhaps your comments and suggestions will inspire me.
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As I read Shunryu Suzuki’s “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” last night. I came across some passages where he talked about honoring our culture. Going beyond compatibility is totally different from barking up the wrong tree. This is something I can learn from the Vietnamese community. Look no further than my parents with my mom battling Step 2A breast cancer with a positive Her2 test and my dad having multiple mialoma no matter how treatable their cancer conditions may be. It’s important to be able to be versital in both giving and receiving care.
I give great credit and respect to Paw Mu. This is why she often got close to me and made sure I was cared for even if it made me uncomfortable at the time. The distance between Burma and Vietnam is like the US and Canada afterall.
That everything is my fault and that letting go of the false self is exactly what needs to be done !
Maybe I will retire in 7 years, if no political choice changes the current status quo. For the moment I don’t think much about this perspective. But I feel like it’s a challenging time.
I read this early this morning, and to be honest, I can’t say that any new perspectives have opened up for me recently. I’m still working in and through some “old” perspectives that have occupied me enough of late!
I can’t think of anything recently that’s
particularly new. Through reading, I am
reminded of other perspectives to keep
in mind. But, whenever I get a chance to
talk to someone, especially someone new
to me, and especially when I can ask a few
questions and really listen, I get a window
into their reality. A moment to see the
world through a different set of eyes.
Mostly this happens with older people,
but it can happen with younger folks too.
It’s really one of my favorite things and
I wish there was more of it in my life.
The sharing of experiences is such a
human thing.
Always nice to have a conversation with a new, (to me) person, Charlie T.
Beautiful, dear Charlie
Charlie, I enjoy doing that too. It’s a good way to help others and raise awareness on an important matter.
It’s not a new perspective just a need for deeper acceptance. I have not been posting many responses because I can not sit at the computer very long and typing is becoming an issue. I do try to read the question each day and read your responses which are always helpful to me. Hopefully, things will improve. Time will tell. Blessings always and all ways. I’ll respond when able.
Carol I’ve noticed and have been thinking of you too. I use the computer for my morning activities, however, there are times when I’ve used my cell phone – and the microphone is much easier than texting/typing … just a small suggestion.
Loving kindness to you.
Dear Carol, kind and compassionate thoughts your way!
Been thinking about you, Carol. Sending you peace and all good.
I wish you the best, dear Carol.
Carol I enjoy your posts and love your perspective on so many things. I hope you feel better and glad to know you are reading. I’ve read some old posts and you are a very talented writer. I would definitely buy published works from you!
Feel better!
I have decided to revisit my original social activism goal of creating opportunities for other younger 2nd generation Vietnamese Americans with autism and mental health struggles to help them be able to learn and grow. “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” has opened up quite a few perspectives for me. Being pushed to try new foods and having 20 questions bombarded on me have been triggering. For the food, I tell people that I have food allergies to strong smells and offer to smell first before taking a bite, because I’m an environmentalist. Wasting food makes me uncomfortable. We have plenty of food in the US. It’s important to think of the less fortunate, especially the ones in Africa. As far as socializing goes, I just know my people. The family members I meet more regularly are usually the ones I feel more comfortable with. There’s a meutual understanding. With that being said, here are my top 3 perspectives.
1. Convert to the Asian Base. It’s actually not as hard as I thought. My version will still come out quite Americanized when all said and done. There’s still a mountain of work to go, but improvement in the area of accessability for people with autism and mental health struggles has certainly been made throughout my lifetime even in Vietnam. Having the backing of my family helps. Family support is everything in the Asian community. We don’t need to be accepted by society, but we need to be accepted by our families. We need them
2. Stretch goal to lifetime. I originally had this social activism goal as a Neow Year’s resolution. A common mistake young people have made with myself included is that we’ve allowed ambition to get the best of us getting into the mindset of doing x, y, and z in t amount of time. We have so many great ideas but have gone about social activism the wrong way screaming, holering, preaching, and acting out of rebelion instead of thinking of others to get our way which is why we’re never satisfied and not being taken seriously by older generations. Stretching my goal out gives me the luxury to have the best of both worlds where I can live a simple lifestyle and still be able to raise awareness.
3. Have a singular focus on area of expertees. People with autism, used to be known as aspergers, have been widely criticized for a hyper-focused mindset on one area. It’s good to have many interests and know the world beyond ourselves, but I also feel that a singular focused on our areas of expertees and responsibility reduces: pressure, ignorance, and controversy. One of the last things needed is to be asked to speak on hot-button topics we’re uninforfed about. I was born to be a piano player just like with Kobe Bryant for basketball.
The idea that fear can be passed down to us or learned from our parents without us realizing it or understanding that it’s not ours. For me, fear of flying is an example of a “learned fear” for me, and once I really started working on getting over that fear, I realized that it was never really mine in the first place. It makes me think, how many other feelings, behaviors, emotions —- particularly those I am not fond of —- were learned and aren’t mine at all.
Seems we spend the first half of life learning and the second half unlearning!
Carol, I’m with you. As my post suggest, the current is moving me closer to my culture and childhood.
With the recent diagnosis of a rare disorder for my husband, I am working on balance and being in the present moment. The question, “If you had one day to live, how would you live it?” Has taken on a new importance/perspective.
Yram, to answer your question, I’d enjoy every moment of it alone and with loved ones.
Yram, I hear you. My sister has just been diagnosed with cancer…biopsy is today.
Will say prayers for your sister and Yram’s husband.
I will light a candle for both this morning.
I am ready for new perspectives to open up regarding moving our life and our business to another state. While it all feels good and right, it is still very scary with lots of moving parts that have to happen before we can go.
You got this!
I wish you the best in that direction.
Thank you!
What I notice regarding new perspectives, is that I can hold a perspective on something and then it widens, I take it to another level. Right now, it seems in order to be present and engaged with a huge project my husband and I are undertaking (removing our grass and redesigning our front yard with hard scape and landscape), I have to ré-prioritize and let some things that are important to me go. And then I start to question what the heck are we doing, what will the neighbors think, and on it goes. This usually happens about 3 a.m. 🥱
What is true is that I am excited about this project, and at the same time, I am working through some concerns. My perspective shift is that when I look forward, rather than backward, I see the creativity, the challenges, the fun, the ecological benefit we are creating. Really requires my presence in the now in every way. And patience in the process. This project is really giving me the opportunity to practice being right where we are, and trusting in it all.
Beautiful….no matter how the neighbors respond, they will definitely start thinking and that is good!
Have been reading, studying and reflecting on the work of Teilhard de Chardin lately. The whole area of evolutionary consciousness is expanding my horizons profoundly. Hoping to spend this beautiful day outdoors to live into the reality of the Cosmic Christ more deeply today. Namaste, everyone.
My husband and I are fans of Teilhard de Chardin. We belong to the American Teilhard Association which pre-pandemic met annually at Union Theological Seminary.
I’m also a member of the Teilhard Society, Dolores. Wonderful organization.
Cheryl and I traveled to Dinosaur National Monumnet in the northwest area of Colorado and the northeast area of Utah. Fossils always bring a new perspective to the collective curiosity of human beings. Hiking the ridge to Harpers Corner in the park to overlook the confluence of the Yampa and Green Rivers, two major tributaries to the Colorado River, was quite the view. Agua es Vida.
🙏
I am seeking balance with home, work, and hobbies. I am fortunate they are able to overlap. Nevertheless, I am feeling overwhelmed. While, I haven’t developed the new perspective, I am open to it. Perhaps your comments and suggestions will inspire me.
My dear Avril, Relax and release…Process not Performance.
I’m with you, Avril. I don’t have any perspective recently. However, I’m opening for it.
I am trying to cultivate an alternative perspective toward work. I hope it will bear fruit with time and patience.
I need that, too.
It’s an ongoing hallelujah isn’t it Laura and Avril?