Every Day Zen
Today’s #LongerView, "One with the Wood," is about mornings and beginnings, in particular the why of my morning mantra. I wanted to capture being in the moment as if it were a destination. Always brings a smile to my face, too. What I discovered was less control meant a lot more living. I hope you... Continue Reading →
To begin by doing no harm. An idea so stunning it stops me in my tracks--every day. On some, it paralyzes but not on this day. Having just finished meditation and yoga, I am in the kitchen, chopping vegetables--kale, carrots, mushrooms--for my weekly pot of soup with pinto beans. It’s a simple fare, full of... Continue Reading →
“Be one with the dust of the way” Lao Tzu says. Effect an evenness of mind in all matters. There is no one way for everyone but for everyone there is a way. Such is the life experience. The Tao Te Ching was written at least 2400 years ago, probably by Lao Tzu (but definitely... Continue Reading →
Today’s #LongerView, “Questions Are the Helpers,” takes a trip to the circus but doesn’t stay. Been there. Done that. I will not find the helpers there but I do in the details of every day I live. Each is a much better attraction. Hope you enjoy the post. As always, I provide the swinging bench.... Continue Reading →
“The house of cards still stands,” I say to my primary care physician, and only then wonder, “is that an apt metaphor?” She nods her head, as she continues to read my MRI report. I’ve already heard from my neurologist who favors monologue over dialogue. Nor is he one for metaphor or talking about arthritis.... Continue Reading →
What is in a crumb? Not joy, Mary Oliver has said, so what worth then, the crumb? It has matter, if not joy. Writing is more matter than crumb but when my chronic disease flares, words flee. I wonder where words go; I, too, would like such a refuge. Instead, I sit in fog or... Continue Reading →
Whether it is voice recognition, dictation, or Siri, predictive text is not given to the poetic in us. Rather, artificial intelligence assigns labels, predicts patterns. But humans always break the mold, no matter how predictable we appear to be. We fight for words, stretching sentence structure for all it’s worth. Fragments rearrange and clauses connect until... Continue Reading →
Today’s #LongerView is about “Staying in the Game” when the rules change. I’m writing about writing and how its process is not is not as staid as I once thought but then, neither am I. Maybe that’s the key. As always, I offer the swinging bench. Enjoy. Aim for Even posts offer equanimity a dose... Continue Reading →
Today’s #LongerView considers the wisdom of Seth Godin in “Live With It,” appreciating boundary conditions even when they are regrettable. Somewhat like pick your battles but I take a quick side trip to the Little Big Horn River. Enjoy! As always, I provide the swinging bench. Aim for Even posts offer equanimity a dose at... Continue Reading →
Aging is freeing for a writer, a last gasp of so many why nots? I’ve mentioned wanting to write poetry but not having a poet’s heart, which I don’t, but why not a few lines of verse, from time to time? And because it is not real poetry but an exercise, I use a quotation,... Continue Reading →
Aim For Even: The Daily Dose 