To see, to feel, to taste, to smell, to communicate…..to be here now and to love those that are here together.

By stepping away from the many confrontational attitudes that would put us on this side or that. The Budddhist “Verses on the Faith Mind” says , “Don’t seek the truth, simply cherish no opinions.” A worthy effort, it seems.

It seems to be a daily, even moment to moment, quests, an ongoing challenge and opportunity..

Today on my 68th birthday I remember my parents and all they gave me, most importantly my being here. My father died on this day at 83 and on my 40th birthday, and I am grateful for the insights into life that he and my mother shared. Both were truly loving and kind and my remembering them today is a vow to be the same. Be at peace today as a gift to yourselves Grateful friends!

I am thinking of my limited theater training and the oft-heard “what character did you play?” Or the “whole world is a stage….” line. I agree with such as Alan Watts: Life is play. Enjoy it.

Our beagle Cami, of course, but really all animals. It is said we are the smart ones but I don’t see many worried animals. And I am recalling the quote attributed to George Bernard Shaw: “Animals are my friends …. and I don’t eat my friends.”

Mindfulness is a lifelong, moment to moment practice. As the old ad slogan had it: Just do it. And then do it again and again and again until it becomes your life.

Not to try to control; it doesn’t work.

Kindness should always be expected and I should always comply. We are born kind, and only culture misdirected us.

By witnessing the many incarnations of Oneness in the world.

Worry.

Ultimately? Nothing. Even the “what,” the “you” the “know” and the “sure” in the question. ????

When our beagle nestled on a chair beside our teenage granddaughter, a portrait of love and calm that negates all I have seen on the news.

See without expectation. Love will arise on its own. Smile.

The growing light of compassion.

Compassion is the current development in human evolution. See it, encourage it daily, please.

That I see them and hear them, and am truly grateful if I can know them. Sadly that does not seem to come to me often, even living in a major U.S. city.

That being present to myself is peaceful — if I am truly present.

Sitting quietly with a loved one. Such peace in presence.

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