The world,
the earth . . .
all of it.
They all—
we all
are in desperate need of compassion and understanding,
whether they/we know it or not.
All.
The good,
the bad,
and the ugly.
My heart hurts
when I see the terrible things we do to each other . . .
not only countries against countries,
but one belief against another,
one race against another;
that haves against the have nots.
anyone who does not subscribe to our own worldview.
We are fighting each other
and have forgotten
that we are all in this vast, roiling soup together.
We have forgotten
to love one another.
Underneath the posturing
and the masks we wear,
the desires we claim,
the dreams we espouse . . .
the trappings that go with our various disguises,
we are all really birds of a feather–
both the worst of us
and the best of us.
We don’t feel loved to our very core
and so we compensate,
thinking that will change things,
but it doesn’t.
If anything
It drives love away.
I feel a driving need
to embrace the bitter and the angry,
the persecuted and the executioner alike,
and return them
to the basics.
Nature’s flow
heals us,
and it is too simple for many to believe,
but it’s there,
waiting,
even as we despoil her,
rape her lands
and pollute her seas,
poison her air,
she waits.
I don’t believe it has to be this way . . .
in my heart,
if I look deeply,
I can feel as if seeing with an inner eye,
the golden kernel of goodness
that lives in everything,
even the things we fear and hate.
It’s there . . .
I just know it.
As much as I know anything
I know it. ♥
Dear Sparrow, I find this so tricky. I can practice seeing the good behind the illusion, even if the person I am focusing on is voraciously and violently committed to their darkness. They are a disciple to their illusion, and I suppose that seeing that helps me become less reactive, more attuned, a calm presence. Interesting to ponder, a difficult space for me.
Settling into a new place is calling for my compassion and understanding. I am happy to be where I am. It’s what I wanted (as well as my husband), and the home we’re in is nicer with friendly neighbors who speak to each other, quieter, close to the beach, and close enough to all of the amenities we like. The dogs are happy. I’ve surfed a lot, found a yoga studio already, and am generally getting around the area with ease.
But it’s still stressful settling into a new place. I have no routine. I miss teaching and I miss my students and friends from Charlotte. I have to remind myself that I didn’t have a routine in Charlotte for about 6 months, and it took almost that long to get to know people and really start to make friends. I’m grateful that technology makes it easier to stay in touch with people. I trust and know that it will all work out. I just have to be patient and keep my focus on the path in front of me.
As I end this, I’m looking into the backyard, watching our dog, Ruger, bouncing around with a toy in his mouth showing his fierce self to something in a tree. It’s really cute, and he and his sister, Reese, are enjoying having a yard they can run around in. It’s a good 10-12 times bigger than what we had.
Patience. I leave tomorrow from my Pennsylvania trip and I am patiently monitoring the Hurricane Isaiah and I’m really hoping it’s not gonna affect my flight.
I especially resonate with this today: “Where were we to experience this incarnation? Precisely everywhere and all the time, not just in places defined as sacred, special, churchy, or religious.”
—Richard Rohr
Of all of the meditations that Richard Rohr shares,
dear Carol Ann,
my favorite ones,
and those that perhaps speak to me the most,
are the ones about or from St. Francis.
He inspires me
to always hold in my consciousness
and my heart
the kinship we all share,
from what is perceived as the lowliest form of life
to the highest . . .
in this family
all are equal.
I am grateful
that you keep posting them here. ♥
I have come across a three or four persons this week who have expressed the need to “share” their personal trials, concerns, frustrations. I have done my best to listen without too much comment or advice – only prayer, and acceptance of where they are and a word of gratitude for them and their sharing. I am honored people feel they can talk to me like this. But this has also been a very challenging week for me personally, in my family and just being able to face life itself. So I’m finding that I need to offer myself some compassion and understanding as well, and also some accountability. It’s easy for me to throw myself a pity party. Sometimes compassion and understanding looks like getting up and taking care of things.
Katrina, I had not heard anyone use the term “pitty-party ” for many, many years. I first heard it at the first meeting I attended for the families and friends of alcoholics (Alanon). It creates such a powerful image of exactly what we can do to ourselves. May this day be uplifting and helpful to you.
I’ve developed some kind of post-viral stomach dyspepsia. Any number of foods–even otherwise healthy ones–can set off pain, and it’s important that I eat a strict diet. However, I’m still figuring out exactly what that diet is. I write down everything I eat and create lists of yes/no foods. Eating the wrong thing results in pain that doesn’t go away for days. Recently, after two pain-free days, then inadvertently eating another wrong thing, I got so frustrated, with myself and with this slow, plodding process. I need to be understanding and compassionate with myself, an imperfect human, and with my tricky condition.
I deal with something similar,
dear Drea,
but with no pain . . .
it’s hard enough without the pain,
but your issue
makes it exponentially more difficult.
I hold you
(and your insides)
in my heart
with love. ((( ♥ )))
Living with a picky and unpredictable dietary condition is so frustrating. Yes, be patient and compassionate with yourself, and find joy where you can.
Our Dear Friends, whose son has been incarcerated for 8 months, are continually in my heart and often on my mind. To be available to their needs and well-being as best I can, to understand where they are coming from on any given day, is important. To be compassionately honest when it is helpful. It seems to have become a practice within itself. One I can offer to anyone in need.🧡
I was once told this, with acceptance comes peace and at the same time acceptance does not mean I have to like it. My feelings good or bad does not change reality. My feeling can signal that I need to pause and process and look again. In the pause, I choosing to accept reality as it is and therefore let go. With this practic, applied to people and circumstances I am able to move from struggle to peace. Putting me on the road, to being a move loving being. I find many oppertunities to practice being loving.
Amen
I think there are people who have a different mindset from me. The lack of common sense makes it really challenging for me to understand them. Therefore, compassion can be beneficial here. It doesn’t help to clear the differences, but it helps me be open to their points of view.
I guess these selfish and closed off people that I work with. They are only products of this terrible inhumane system we are all in. I imagine they are all struggling and unable to be friendly or offer help. I’m not sure what it is.
Collectivism is calling out for my understanding as I continue to navigate this family of families Tampa trip. So far, I’ve done well with receiving protective care. Of course, I still have my independent ambitions. I’m able to recognize that those come from a good place just like with my root people’s protective care for me.
Individual impowerment is where I ultimately keep circling back to. I have a firm belief that each person should be able to have the freedom to be themselves without being under another’s shadow. On the other hand, our desires will turn into “Empty desires” is we’re blinded by our ambitions that we can’t receive protective care.
My “Empty desires” phrase comes from NBA players who put up monster stats to chase that bag whether it’s money, fame, politics, or business ventures. Team results are worse when one guy’s above the rest. That’s where the “Empty stats” label comes in. Empty desires come from that, because it’s chasing. A cann of worms opens up when force is prioritized over flow.
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The world,
the earth . . .
all of it.
They all—
we all
are in desperate need of compassion and understanding,
whether they/we know it or not.
All.
The good,
the bad,
and the ugly.
My heart hurts
when I see the terrible things we do to each other . . .
not only countries against countries,
but one belief against another,
one race against another;
that haves against the have nots.
anyone who does not subscribe to our own worldview.
We are fighting each other
and have forgotten
that we are all in this vast, roiling soup together.
We have forgotten
to love one another.
Underneath the posturing
and the masks we wear,
the desires we claim,
the dreams we espouse . . .
the trappings that go with our various disguises,
we are all really birds of a feather–
both the worst of us
and the best of us.
We don’t feel loved to our very core
and so we compensate,
thinking that will change things,
but it doesn’t.
If anything
It drives love away.
I feel a driving need
to embrace the bitter and the angry,
the persecuted and the executioner alike,
and return them
to the basics.
Nature’s flow
heals us,
and it is too simple for many to believe,
but it’s there,
waiting,
even as we despoil her,
rape her lands
and pollute her seas,
poison her air,
she waits.
I don’t believe it has to be this way . . .
in my heart,
if I look deeply,
I can feel as if seeing with an inner eye,
the golden kernel of goodness
that lives in everything,
even the things we fear and hate.
It’s there . . .
I just know it.
As much as I know anything
I know it. ♥
Dear Sparrow, I find this so tricky. I can practice seeing the good behind the illusion, even if the person I am focusing on is voraciously and violently committed to their darkness. They are a disciple to their illusion, and I suppose that seeing that helps me become less reactive, more attuned, a calm presence. Interesting to ponder, a difficult space for me.
Difficult for me too,
dear Drea . . .
in extreme cases
especially.
One of the hardest tasks of my life. ♥
🙏
Namaste, dear Sparrow.
Settling into a new place is calling for my compassion and understanding. I am happy to be where I am. It’s what I wanted (as well as my husband), and the home we’re in is nicer with friendly neighbors who speak to each other, quieter, close to the beach, and close enough to all of the amenities we like. The dogs are happy. I’ve surfed a lot, found a yoga studio already, and am generally getting around the area with ease.
But it’s still stressful settling into a new place. I have no routine. I miss teaching and I miss my students and friends from Charlotte. I have to remind myself that I didn’t have a routine in Charlotte for about 6 months, and it took almost that long to get to know people and really start to make friends. I’m grateful that technology makes it easier to stay in touch with people. I trust and know that it will all work out. I just have to be patient and keep my focus on the path in front of me.
As I end this, I’m looking into the backyard, watching our dog, Ruger, bouncing around with a toy in his mouth showing his fierce self to something in a tree. It’s really cute, and he and his sister, Reese, are enjoying having a yard they can run around in. It’s a good 10-12 times bigger than what we had.
Patience. I leave tomorrow from my Pennsylvania trip and I am patiently monitoring the Hurricane Isaiah and I’m really hoping it’s not gonna affect my flight.
Good luck, Michele.
I hope you’ll be able to leave when you’re scheduled to.
Mother Earth and how I need to relate to her. There is a beautiful and inspiring meditation included in Richard Rohr’s post today.
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/francis-and-the-natural-world-weekly-summary/
I especially resonate with this today: “Where were we to experience this incarnation? Precisely everywhere and all the time, not just in places defined as sacred, special, churchy, or religious.”
—Richard Rohr
Thank you, Carol Ann. Bless those that care.
Of all of the meditations that Richard Rohr shares,
dear Carol Ann,
my favorite ones,
and those that perhaps speak to me the most,
are the ones about or from St. Francis.
He inspires me
to always hold in my consciousness
and my heart
the kinship we all share,
from what is perceived as the lowliest form of life
to the highest . . .
in this family
all are equal.
I am grateful
that you keep posting them here. ♥
A nice reminder that we are in relationship to not just each other, but all of creation.
I have come across a three or four persons this week who have expressed the need to “share” their personal trials, concerns, frustrations. I have done my best to listen without too much comment or advice – only prayer, and acceptance of where they are and a word of gratitude for them and their sharing. I am honored people feel they can talk to me like this. But this has also been a very challenging week for me personally, in my family and just being able to face life itself. So I’m finding that I need to offer myself some compassion and understanding as well, and also some accountability. It’s easy for me to throw myself a pity party. Sometimes compassion and understanding looks like getting up and taking care of things.
I hope that you can get some rest and recovery, Katrina.
May what you are learning from those ‘persons’
help to heal you
for what you must face in your personal life
as well,
dear Katrina . . . ♥
Katrina, I had not heard anyone use the term “pitty-party ” for many, many years. I first heard it at the first meeting I attended for the families and friends of alcoholics (Alanon). It creates such a powerful image of exactly what we can do to ourselves. May this day be uplifting and helpful to you.
I’ve developed some kind of post-viral stomach dyspepsia. Any number of foods–even otherwise healthy ones–can set off pain, and it’s important that I eat a strict diet. However, I’m still figuring out exactly what that diet is. I write down everything I eat and create lists of yes/no foods. Eating the wrong thing results in pain that doesn’t go away for days. Recently, after two pain-free days, then inadvertently eating another wrong thing, I got so frustrated, with myself and with this slow, plodding process. I need to be understanding and compassionate with myself, an imperfect human, and with my tricky condition.
Drea, you just made me realize I take my digestive system for granted. Good to aware of it and remind myself of the blessing.
Joseph, yes, in the case of digestion, everything you don’t feel is a blessing!
I deal with something similar,
dear Drea,
but with no pain . . .
it’s hard enough without the pain,
but your issue
makes it exponentially more difficult.
I hold you
(and your insides)
in my heart
with love. ((( ♥ )))
Thank you, dear Sparrow.
Drea, May you find nourishment today that lifts your spirits.
Thank you Carol. I did a challenging trail run in a beautiful place, and it definitely lifted my spirits.
Living with a picky and unpredictable dietary condition is so frustrating. Yes, be patient and compassionate with yourself, and find joy where you can.
Thank you Katrina. Working on the patience, and the joy is freely available, luckily!
Our Dear Friends, whose son has been incarcerated for 8 months, are continually in my heart and often on my mind. To be available to their needs and well-being as best I can, to understand where they are coming from on any given day, is important. To be compassionately honest when it is helpful. It seems to have become a practice within itself. One I can offer to anyone in need.🧡
May his remaining time be smooth, M2.
Blessings,
dear M2,
to your friends
and to their son. ♥
I was once told this, with acceptance comes peace and at the same time acceptance does not mean I have to like it. My feelings good or bad does not change reality. My feeling can signal that I need to pause and process and look again. In the pause, I choosing to accept reality as it is and therefore let go. With this practic, applied to people and circumstances I am able to move from struggle to peace. Putting me on the road, to being a move loving being. I find many oppertunities to practice being loving.
Amen
You are walking a difficult balance,
dear RL,
but are wise
to see it so clearly. ♥
So true
Good words to ponder.
I think there are people who have a different mindset from me. The lack of common sense makes it really challenging for me to understand them. Therefore, compassion can be beneficial here. It doesn’t help to clear the differences, but it helps me be open to their points of view.
I guess these selfish and closed off people that I work with. They are only products of this terrible inhumane system we are all in. I imagine they are all struggling and unable to be friendly or offer help. I’m not sure what it is.
From the small spot of the world in which I dwell, to the world at large. Both ring out for compassion and understanding.
Peace, Love & Light.
I feel the same way about this,
dear Joseph . . .
both the inner
and the outer world
need us
as we need them. ♥
Collectivism is calling out for my understanding as I continue to navigate this family of families Tampa trip. So far, I’ve done well with receiving protective care. Of course, I still have my independent ambitions. I’m able to recognize that those come from a good place just like with my root people’s protective care for me.
Individual impowerment is where I ultimately keep circling back to. I have a firm belief that each person should be able to have the freedom to be themselves without being under another’s shadow. On the other hand, our desires will turn into “Empty desires” is we’re blinded by our ambitions that we can’t receive protective care.
My “Empty desires” phrase comes from NBA players who put up monster stats to chase that bag whether it’s money, fame, politics, or business ventures. Team results are worse when one guy’s above the rest. That’s where the “Empty stats” label comes in. Empty desires come from that, because it’s chasing. A cann of worms opens up when force is prioritized over flow.
Go with the flow.
You have shared many pearls of wisdom in your reflection this morning, Loc Tran. Thank you.🧡