Sometimes you don’t realize how diminished your energy was until it’s back in full.
What a relief.
Feeling normal
For when the mountain seems too big
I do believe this is some of the wisest counsel I’ve ever read.
I especially resonate with…
A day is not a lifetime,
A rest is not defeat.
And…
The world will not stop turning
While you get realigned.
Where do we get the idea that we should never stop? That we must ALWAYS strive?
Why do we feel like the world will, in fact, stop turning if we have to re-arrange our ideas or our plans?
Don’t make yourself feel worse.
I intend to take this poem to heart and give myself quiet, kind retreats more often.
A glorious end
Tonight’s sunset was a suitably glorious end to a rather long and taxing day.
A day for which — despite its challenges — I am extremely grateful.
Capturing a memory
I’ve been on a bit of a decluttering kick lately, but not in a major, turn-everything-inside-out kind of way. This packet of sugar is an excellent example.
It’s from a one week trip to Europe we made back in 2008 (I believe), when Swami Kriyananda had a book launch at the Teatro Valle in Rome.
We stayed at the Hotel San Valentino, along with pianist Todd (who flew over with us from California), and Italian cellist, Dhruva.
We went first to Assisi for some rehearsals, then drove to Rome with Bhaktan and Mantrini, and their little baby Sabina.
One of the funny things I remember is that on the day we arrived the hotel clerk complimented Ramesha on his Italian. Of course, Ramesha told him Italian was his mother tongue, but the guy wasn’t a very good listener because all week he continued to comment on it. It didn’t matter how many times Ramesha explained!
Well, I’ve been hanging onto this sugar packet because it brings back such lovely memories. But, seriously! I’m never going to use the sugar. Odds are the packet would eventually break and make a sugary mess in the kitchen drawer.
So, I decided to take a photo and feature it in this blog post. Memory captured, and now I can chuck the sugar!
Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.
This was finally going to be the year when we offered a special tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr., through music and narration and excerpts of his speeches. It was going to be part of a retreat at the Expanding Light this past weekend, but had to be postponed due to the latest COVID surge.
Disappointing, but I was happy to discover a number of beautiful articles (links are below) about Dr. King which were written within the past few years by friends of mine here at Ananda Village.
Not only did I enjoy reading each one, but I felt moved, inspired, and uplifted…all of which help rekindle my determination to keep doing my part to manifest Dr. King’s vision of a loving, just, and harmonious world.
In honor of Sidney Poitier
We just watched “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” with the great actors Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy, and Katherine Hepburn. I had seen it before, but so long ago that I hardly remembered it.
I felt the urge to view it again since Sidney Poitier’s recent passing. I also thought it would be great for Ramesha to see it, and so close to Martin Luther King’s birthday, no less!
Viewing this movie as an interracial couple at a distance of over fifty years was certainly interesting. Although this country still has a long way to go in terms of race relations it’s good to be reminded that significant progress has been made.
Low energy accomplishment
This was a day to lay low, rest, and putter around the house.
All too often, I end up feeling bummed by the end of a day like this because I feel like I should have done something.
Today turned out different. Sure enough, I caught myself looking around and thinking, “I should do this” or “I should really do that“, but not wanting to do any of those things at all.
Then I remembered the instant pot that I bought on sale last June, but was so busy with Spiritual Renewal Week that I never even opened the box! It’s been on my mind lately because I’m needing more variety in my meal planning.
So, I unboxed it, read the instructions, and found a place for it to live by rearranging a shelf.
And it felt like a major accomplishment for such a low energy day.
Pizza!
No, that’s not my pizza…at least, not yet. 😄
Going home to experiment with making a low carb pizza right now.
Wishing you a fun weekend, wherever you are!
Attempting to ride the wave
My goal is to surf the waves of life like the guy on the right, but lately I feel like I’m being tossed around like the guy on the left!
No worries. I just have to keep getting up and paddling out to catch the next wave. 🏄♀️
Awaiting developments
I was coming up blank on what to write about this evening, so I thought I might settle for a beautiful photo.
Then I happened upon this kitty and realized I could totally relate to her look of anticipation, whether eager or apprehensive or a little of both.
2022 is off to that kind of a start for me. I’m equal parts eager and apprehensive to see what develops as the year unfolds.