Sunday Mornings

There is something about Sunday mornings. Even with new powder and the tourists heading for the slopes, it is quiet. We are far enough away from the main road that traffic sounds don't come through. We don't hustle and bustle with quite the energy we do on the other six mornings. I take more meditation time than usual. Even Tessie isn't barking with the vigor she did yesterday morning - of course that probably means there were no critters in the yard last night.

I'm even planning things for today - will go down the mountain to visit family and take Trinity her 5th birthday present. Next door neighbor is having a snowshoe party tonight followed by fondue. And still - it is still. Silence surrounds and penetrates and fills my space with its own special energy. It is and going to be a good day - with blessings

Getting Well

I can tell I am feeling a Lot better! I am ready to get Out of the House ~ walk in the sun or snowshoe in the back yard or go out to eat or Something. I was ok this morning because we had a Lot of snow falling and it was a good day to be inside. By about one, the sky turned blue, the snow clouds cleared and it is gorgeous out there.

So why am I not out of the house? Well, I am right on the edge of having my energy back. Dean came home from a trip sick so he is feeling lousy and we are not going anywhere together. And I have an appointment in the morning so will spend a lot of the day out tomorrow. So it is ok - and it is still nice to know I am Ready to go - first time in about a month. Feels good ~ blessings

Forgiveness

I just saw a headline: Should Tiger Woods be forgiven?

As far as I am concerned, as a Christian, that is not even a question. Jesus suggests we forgive 70 x 7 ~ an infinite number of times. It is not up to us to judge whether or not to forgive. It is just up to us to forgive.

We don't like forgiveness though. We want judgement and justice (whatever we think that means) and accountability. Somehow we think that forgiveness doesn't include any of those. We don't know how to incorporate all of those things into our lives or systems. And so if we can't have them all, we choose to ignore the forgiveness part of it and demand the others. We think forgiveness makes us weak.

Well, it doesn't. It is a very powerful tool to free us from pain in our own lives and to free those we forgive to live a better life. I don't understand how it works. I only know it does. And all of us can do it and all of us deserve it ~ blessings

Ash Wednesday

Lent begins. It is a time of preparation and release leading up to Easter. It is also a time of slowing down. Lento is the musical term for "slow the tempo here".

The earth has slowed down. Seeds still germinate in the dark richness of soil nourished by slowly melting snow. Animals are still in hibernation. We even tend to go more slowly because of the cold or grey. Sometimes illness slows us down ~ and instead of fighting against it, it can be good to sit for a while. Slow down.

The joy and excitement of spring and Easter will come soon enough. For a while, may we slow down, meditate, ponder and be present in the moment to be and enjoy. ~ blessings

Reflection

"Life is an echo; what you send out comes back."

(Chinese Proverb)

I like this way of saying what we all know: smile and people will smile back; laugh and people around you will at least giggle; respect others and others will respect you; listen and you will find yourself listened to; love and others will love you in return.

This also means if the world keeps sending us negative messages, we need to look at ourselves and ask if that happens to be the message we are sending to the world. What are the echoes we are creating in the universe? ~ blessings

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day ~ it's not just for lovers any more.

May you and all those you love have a wonderful day filled with hearts, flowers and chocolates! And in lieu of that, may your day be filled with the love of friends and family. ~ blessings

Dyed in the Wool

Overheard for the first time in a while the phrase, "He is just a dyed in the wool . . . . ." You can add your own category: conservative, liberal, Democrat, Republican, bachelor, Methodist, etc.

The phrase implies an unwillingness to change, to be so deeply rooted in her thought processes that there is no moving from that stance.

And yet . . . we have some lovely wool rugs, woven by a Navajo weaver we have met. They are lovely and grace our hardwood floors and one hangs as a tapestry on a wall. All are dyed strong, rich, vibrant colors. Except for one. It is all natural, shades of white, grey, brown and tan, all colors you might find roaming the hillsides and meadows.

The mountain sun pours in the south facing windows, spilling across the rugs ~ and the only one that has never faded in the face of the light is the one that isn't "dyed in the wool", the one that is natural.

The Light gives us all the ability to change, to blend, to be less strident and more receiving. In rugs it may cause fading. In humans, Light causes the ability to move and flow and listen and become more of whom we were created to be rather than be stuck in one mode of being all our lives. Let the Light in ~ with blessings

The Blessings of Tahoe

~ a grey fox wandered across the yard this morning. After it was gone, Dean let Tessie out to bark at the air and have an amazing time repelling the intruder. All that excitement has left her on her rug in a deep early morning nap. After all, she has protected us from invasion. :)

~ last week it was bob cat. We waited a lot longer before letting Tess out that morning. She did not know it was there however. This morning she was standing by the door looking out as the fox arrived.

~ a break in the storm last week brought birds. Suddenly there were mountain jays and another rather large bird. Dozens of them in the trees at the edge of the deck. They were there. Then they were gone. As if some invisible hand had opened the cage door and let them out for a romp in the forest.

~ and come spring, the bears will return. Along with chipmunks, ground squirrels and baby birds. Life in all its complexity and joy to be enjoyed from our windows ~ with blessings

Super Bowl Monday

Now that all the shouting and celebrating is over, please be aware that Monday will be the busiest day of the year for Women's Services who welcome women fleeing domestic violence. Too many people will drink more than they can hold and bet more than they can lose and will take out their frustration on their wives and children.

In whatever way you pray or share your blessings, please, keep in mind all of those effected by this phenomenon. ~ with blessings

Stillwater

I want to recommend a book: Zen Shorts by Jon J Muth.

Stillwater is a giant Zen panda. He moves into a neighborhood and when the children come to visit, he tells them wonderful Zen stories that help them see their way through the world. I believe there are about 4 stories. The book may be read in its entirety or one short story at a time. They are stories about forgiveness, being present and releasing the past. Lovely and gentle and perfect for children and adults.

You will find Stillwater in the children's section of the bookstore but don't be fooled. You will enjoy him and learn from him too. A perfect gift for a child or for a whole family. Enjoy ~ with blessings

Social Networks

Although I didn't expect it, I find myself enjoying Facebook. I don't play games. I don't join groups that have no meaning for me. I don't have to comment on everything my friends say ~ and I don't have to post a comment every time I do something. So, being judicious in my participation, I am finding great pleasure in connecting with interesting people from my past ~ most of them of course from a younger generation. And of course the present grandchildren, who are the real Facebook Blessing!

Now I have joined a network from my denomination from which I have a been a bit isolated since moving to California. There are lots of blogs to read, lots of information to receive and lots of folks to catch up with and learn about. I am hoping this one will be a good one for learning more than just who is doing what although I am certainly interested in that.

I can't talk about the practicalities of church life as I don't attend any more and about my own spiritual journey there is not much to say except, I meditated this morning. :) That's ok. I can learn without having to talk. Sometimes listening, and in this case, reading is better anyway. ~ with blessings