Worth the risk
Last night our sky lit up, glowing with drama and theater, flashes of lightning followed by resounding thunder, accompanied by wind and heavy rain. And let’s just say, this is very rare for the PNW, especially in August. Even so,…
A transformed heart
A young man grew up with the notion that before he got too old, he needed to set about the task of becoming somebody. So, he busied himself with setting goals and accomplishing much. He learned the art of juggling…
Nutritious food of life
A Zen roshi is dying. All of the monks gather—an eagerness restrained—around the deathbed, hoping to be chosen as the next teacher.The roshi asks slowly, “Where is the gardener?”"The gardener," the monks wonder aloud. "He is just a simple man…
The gift of glimmers
More and more, I get questions from people asking about self-care when life feels unraveled. And unsettled. “How is it possible to stay grounded and sane?” One asked.And I do know this: my lists are a good bit shorter than…
Reintroduced to wonder
A small art gallery near Lake Galway in Ireland holds an exhibition with local art. A poet of no small renown drops by to view it. As he finishes his perusing, a local farmer arrives. Once a year, the farmer…
Childlike joy
This week we celebrate the Advent Candle of Joy (the Shepherd's or Gaudete Candle).Count me in. I’m all in favor of joy. But sometimes, I don’t feel it. Is that okay to admit? Or say, out loud? There’s a part…
Absorb daily miracles
During a noon-hour rush on a steamy July day, two men were jockeying their way through the crowd on a New York City avenue. They practically shouted as they tried to hear one other above the din. One man, a…
The gift of tiny miracles
While a young mother waits at a post-office-counter, her four-year-old daughter occupies herself with the opportunity for self-entertainment, exploring the lobby, looking, prattling, not an item left untouched.The girl finds a penny on the floor. "Look momma," she says proudly,…
Wild and precious life
A farmer once came to see the Buddha, to seek advice, to get help with his problems. The farmer had many problems, and he told the Buddha, in great detail, all about how they made his life very difficult.The weather…
Seven wonders of the world
The first-grade class assignment: to name the seven wonders of the world. Each student compiles a list, and shares their list, aloud, with the class. There is ardent interaction as the students call out entries from their lists: The Pyramids,…