Someone grew and harvested my breakfast. Then it was shipped and sold to me. Someone a long time ago built my house. I benefit from people all over the globe really as I spend my day today. Right now the computer I use was invented and manufactured where? This web site also created and maintained by people that I have never met. I am so thankful.

All my students! Kids come out with the most amazing sincere kindnesses just when kindness is needed.

To feel genuinely humble is a wonderful feeling of being in sync with the universe as it is. It is an inner recognition of divinity. We are all part of a mysterious body of people and we can only be in awe of life.

If I measured it by moments maybe I would be living in the moment. Savoring life and not waiting for something to get over with.

trust and connection to spirit

I think of reverence in regard to people who inspire me, or statues and pictures of people who have contributed so much to the world.

i practice meditation in the morning. On Sunday I sometimes attend a group meditation and on Wed I attend a small group meditation after a talk there. Sometimes I go on weekly or daily retreats. When the inner chatter takes over through the day I need to take a break go to the ladies room and breathe for a few uninterrupted minutes.

coming back to the breath

Whatever insight and wisdom I have. The love I have for people in my life. These will sustain me while I have my life. My appreciation for life itself.

I care for those close to me. I care for myself when I recognize the pain I am in. I care for my students. I care for people everywhere when I see the news and think about the world situation. The world is now a small place.

After making some kind of effort for something worthwhile. For instance after making Easter dinner for the family yesterday. At work when my lesson plans turn into great learning for my students. Other times not to do with doing are the times I am alone or with my family or immediate friends and it is harmonious and joyful.

I sit in a small room when I reflect. Where is there beauty? I have an altar. Above the altar I have a picture of my family of origin. Beside the altar lots of inspirational books and teachings. The rest of the things in the room to me is “stuff” These items are symbolic of deep meaning and true beauty.

Starting today I can pay attention to my thoughts and reactions. I can ask myself Is there a story behind any of these thoughts. Can I drop the story? If I can do that something more meaningful will emerge because I will be more in touch with my true purpose here in this life.

I would characterize them as my attitudes, defenses, ways of seeing that are in my life that are not helpful. It is wise to cultivate self acceptance, forgiveness, gratitude, generosity, kindness, patience and love to overcome these. Because we are not perfect the weeds will always be there to remind us of our humanness.

I woke up early stressing about a challenging day at work ahead. I hope to go back to sleep for an hour. However, for the last hour I tried unsuccessfully to focus on my breath calming my body and mind. It is always there. It is the one thing while we are alive that we can count on. It brings us back to our inner world. So this question is timely for me. I am reminded to practice again. Try again. Its what we do in this life. Moment by moment come back to the breath.

I realize more and more how precious life is

Stay in touch with your breath to make sense of life and always count your blessings.