Community, protection,vision, change.

Since the election, storms of uncertainty and fear have arisen. It is time to collectively stand up, calm and clear. With peacefulness and mutual respect, our communities can become centers of protection and vision.

Protection can take many forms. Protection can be providing sanctuary for those in danger. Protection can be skillfully confronting those whose actions would harm the vulnerable among us. Protection can be standing up for the environment. Protection can be becoming an active ally for those targeted by hate and prejudice.

Vision means carrying the light. It means standing up for the truth—no matter what:

“Hatred never ceases by hatred, but by love alone is healed.”
“Greed, Hate and Ignorance create suffering. Generosity, Love and Wisdom bring happiness.”
“Mind is the forerunner. Speak and act with a pure mind and happiness will follow.”
“Plant seeds of goodness, and well-being will grow.”

Now a time of change has come.

We must listen deeply, bear witness, honor everyone, and choose our actions wisely and courageously.

Do not worry if the Right Action is not yet clear to you.

Wait in the unknowing with mindfulness and a clear heart.

Soon the right time will come and you will know to stand up.

I will meet you there.

Paraphrased with Jack Kornfield

Gifts

It's that time of year in my life when folks ask me what I would like them, to give me as a gift.

I love gifts- giving and receiving. I love thinking about the person I want to gift, generally I want to make them something, something I like, something I enjoyed making, love in every thought and stitch.

I love sending color and beauty outing the world through a gift.

I love receiving a gift, feeling the love poured into it. Overtime as I see the gift, I feel that love again, and can feel the gifter in my heart.

This year, if you really want to know, what I want...
I want you to do something kind, and then tell me about it.

Call me, send me a note, create an image reflecting the kindness, a FB message- instead of writing happy birthday on my page- tell me what you did that was kind.

If you are unable to "do" something kind, think about it.
Think, about kindness

That will be enough.

Prayer for loving kindness

May I be happy

May I be peaceful

May I be safe and protected from all harm

May I be well in body mind and spirit

May I be free

This is what can be done By one who is skilled in goodness, And who knows the path of peace: Let them be able and upright, Straightforward and gentle in speech, Humble and not conceited, Contented and easily satisfied, Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways. Peaceful and calm and wise and skillful, Not proud or demanding in nature. Let them not do the slightest thing That the wise would later reprove. Wishing: In gladness and in safety, May all beings be at ease. Whatever living beings there may be; Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none, The great or the mighty, medium, short or small, The seen and the unseen, Those living near and far away, Those born and to-be-born — May all beings be at ease! Let none deceive another, Or despise any being in any state. Let none through anger or ill-will Wish harm upon another. Even as a mother protects with her life Her child, her only child, So with a boundless heart Should one cherish all living beings; Radiating kindness over the entire world: Spreading upwards to the skies, And downwards to the depths; Outwards and unbounded, Freed from hatred and ill-will. Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down Free from drowsiness, One should sustain this recollection. This is said to be the sublime abiding. By not holding to fixed views, The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision, Being freed from all sense desires, Is not born again into this world.

Comments and questions and prayer requests warmly welcomed.