A beacon of compassion

Just for today, in anticipation

of a lifetime to come,

can we resolve to become

a beacon of compassion?

Shared mystery

We can, each one of us, in time, identify

with the broken stick, the sand, the shell,

the rivulet, the ocean, the distant hill, the sky;

the island, or its lonely tree; the clouds...

It’s all a mystery, how we can be so different

and yet, each one of us, the same...

Don't be discouraged

Let not the failed attempts of others

serve to discourage you.

You have your own unique gifts, ways,

and means to propel you toward your goal.

Balancing inside and out

It’s easy to get caught up in creating

a perfect nest for ourselves.

but we mustn’t lose sight of the need to connect

with the world outside our own limited existence...

Grazing in the field of now

Driven by a false sense of urgency,

we hesitate to graze in the field of now;

fail to appreciate the value of being still

and drinking in the flavors of this moment.

The roundabout route

Sometimes it’s safer — and wiser —

to take a more roundabout route

to get to where you need to go...

Finding your way

Where I live, the old sayings

about moss on the north side of trees

would prove useless — it grows on all sides.

which just goes to show: the rules we use

to find our way in one community

may not work all that well in another...

Accept and still appreciate

Can we give ourselves permission to accept

the life we have; the choices that we made;

and yet still stand on the edge of that life

and appreciate other ways of being in the world?

Faced with a daunting task

Today let us send comfort to all those 

who, confronted with a daunting task,

may not have the luxury of choosing

whether to take it on or wait it out

and hope it goes away...

Give voice to the child within

Sometimes we need to stop worrying

about what we need to do to please the world,

and step instead into our inner sanctuary

and give voice to the playful hungry child within.

Grace abounding

There’s grace and beauty everywhere

If we just make time to look...

Brain vs. Heart

One golden afternoon I passed this by,

and thought, how beautiful, but what is it,

who built it here, and why?

How quickly the brain steps in

to modify the heart’s response!

Why question, when we could just appreciate?

A symphony in the clouds

These silent staves invite the viewer

to listen for the symphony in the clouds...

A season for compassion

Wandering in my garden after the snow,

I declare this the season for compassion:

Not knowing which — in their bedraggled state —

are weeds and which are welcome,

I practice non-judgment and admire their persistence;

non-violence, and leave them where they grow;

forgiveness, for being less than perfect;

and mindfulness, to learn what they might teach me.

Mature love casts its scent

It’s true: a budding love seems more intense, 

bursting with potential,

and love that’s been in bloom for many years 

might seem faded in comparison.

But the texture and complexity, the infinite variety,

the openness with which mature love 

casts its scent into the world —

ah: that’s irresistible, and I’m grateful every day

for the wonder of that blessing.

Love softens the contours

In a life streaked with shadows

of past regrets and rejections

love and compassion soften the contours

and ease the transition

between the rough times and the smooth.

Diving deep into Now

Whether you’re a person who looks forward

or someone who is always looking back,

the richest and most colorful experiences

will be the ones where you dove deeply into Now.

On the brink of tomorrow

Standing on the brink of tomorrow,

we hesitate, reluctant,

to leave the shores of today.

When will we ever see such beauty again?

Insignificance

Whenever we get to feeling solidly in control,

the weather has a way of reminding us

how small and powerless we really are...

The beauty of this moment

Instead of wondering “How can I get past this?”

Take a minute to appreciate

the beauty and complexity of this moment: 

right here, right now.

Happy evening

That happy feeling you get

when you know friends are coming to visit...

Lessons from the trees

Whenever I’m at a loss or feel adrift

I return to the forest to learn from the trees:

Stay grounded: keep deepening your roots

even as you continue to expand and grow,

reaching out to help your neighbors;

reaching up to drink the wisdom of the sky.

In the midst of wonder

There are paths in life that offer no destination

except to stand in the midst of wonder.

Don’t be afraid to explore — and experience.

We're not so different

Age and weather have a way

of paring us down to our essentials;

revealing our inner nature. And now we learn

we’re not so different, you and I...

Outside looking in

How much of life have you spent in the cold,

feeling that you’re outside, looking in?

Somehow we need to find our way

to the warmth and security within;

the trusting acceptance everyone deserves.

What do you fear more?

The door to new adventures is unlikely to open

unless you step up and grab the handle.

Which do you fear more? Failure?

Or never having tried? It’s your choice.

A common song

Within all hearts, a common beat;

Within all songs a single voice,

longing to be heard.

Obstacles in your path

Obstacles in your path may be nature’s way

of inviting you to slow down.

Stop a minute. Breathe.

Listen for the music in the wind,

and appreciate the wonder that resides

in this moment; in Now.