(not necessarily in that order)
This is the sight that stopped me in my tracks as I left the Temple after choir rehearsal tonight. Can you see the first star?
These long summer evenings really are magical, reminding me of the impulse from my long ago childhood days.
Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight;
I wish I may, I wish I might
Have the wish I wish tonight. ✨
A friend responded to yesterday’s blog post about “juggling” with an always appropriate and deeply appreciated reminder:
“When in doubt breathe in, breathe out, and keep repeating.”
Truly excellent advice.
I can tell that we are well and truly back.
How?
I’m once again feeling like a full-time juggler: SRW (kirtan, concert, classes, donor tea, banquet); Sevaka retreat; Oratorio recording; Sunday music; dental work; India plans; and more.
Sometimes I feel like this guy looks. 😂
If you’re on Facebook much you might have heard of the page, Humans of New York. They post touching or inspiring or weird stories about random New Yorkers.
Well, the story I read today is super-inspiring. In fact, I think it’s one of the best ever. (I was tempted to paste the entire thing here in my blog, but it’s too long.)
Briefly, it’s about how a middle school teacher — a young black woman — stepped up to the plate and started an afterschool track program; the impact it’s had on her students; and the victories they’re achieving as a result.
The synopsis doesn’t say much. But here are some quotes from the actual story that I hope will give you a sense of what I love so much about this…starting with the opening line:
“The school wanted to create some new after-school programs. I’d run track in high school. Was I good? No. But I ran. So I volunteered to create the track program.”
I mean, this right here is AWESOME: “Was I good? No. But I ran.” And “I volunteered”!
Also: “I’m not rushing them to be grown” and “My goal was just to finish the season. I wanted them to learn commitment. So when they grow up they can determine their own way without somebody pushing them.”
So much wisdom from this young teacher.
And then there’s all the love in the comments — thousands of them! I don’t know when I’ve ever read so many positive, loving, supportive, enthusiastic words in one place before (well, that wasn’t something spiritual anyways).
Here’s one that especially caught my eye, probably because “Say YES to life” is one of the guiding principles of Ananda:
“This is the kind of magic that happens when you say ‘Yes’. It’s a wonderful lesson for us all to step up to the plate even when we don’t feel we have the experience and credentials to do a job- sometimes what is needed most is conviction and passion! Go BGT!”
And I just can’t help sharing a few more:
“Sometimes it just takes one person to believe in you, encourage you, AND require something of you.”
“These are the lessons kids don’t learn on paper, sitting at a desk, and they aren’t measured by a percentage. The lesson of showing up, for your team, for yourself, practicing and accomplishing. Trying something. Taking a chance. Mastering. The empowerment is priceless. Awesome learning.”
“So many great things about this story! Volunteering, motivating, teamwork, great attitudes. They just needed their squad and some positive reinforcement.”
“Very inspiring! Right now, someone out there is reading this piece, and turning it into a ‘inspired by real events’ Disney movie script.”
I hope that last comment is prophetic, because at the end of their first year as a team, Baby Got Track won the New York State Middle School Championship!
I can’t wait to see the movie.
In fact, there’s no rhyme or reason for this photo, except that it caught my eye.
Something about how focused and alert the kitty is.
Anyway, it’s late. Good night!
How cool is this?!?
Congratulations to Manisha, who’s been a dear friend ever since we both were newly arrived in the Ananda Palo Alto community back in the late 90’s.
I can’t wait to read it (there are two copies because one’s for Dad).
“Outer order contributes to inner calm.” –Gretchen Rubin
This is the quote I saw on my Momentum Dash screen this morning while searching my office files for some sheet music we need for the upcoming Spiritual Renewal Week concert.
I resonated deeply with this statement, especially since I could feel my inner calm fraying around the edges as I considered having to change the program because I couldn’t locate the parts. Not a good feeling. 🤦♀️
But I had also experienced this in the first week after returning home from our trip.
I was dealing with jet lag; a bad cough; unpacked luggage; leftover travel gear; dirty laundry; and the naturally occurring “out-of-orderliness” of having had a houseguest in the apartment for almost two months.
It all felt like chaos.
The end result was that I felt virtually paralyzed for the first four or five days, and not just in practical terms. I also felt like I couldn’t think or plan or settle.
I believe the breakthrough came when I simply had to do pressing tasks like laundry (or not have clothes to wear!). As I — bit-by-bit — established some order, I was able to — bit-by-bit — access my inner calm.
P.S. Not to worry, by the way! We did locate the sheet music. 😅
I was really struck by this photo and quote that Ramesha posted to Facebook today:
LOVE NEUTRALIZES FEAR…
“All doubt, despair, and fear become insignificant once the intention of life becomes love.” –Rumi
It got me reflecting on what is the intention of my life? And I realized that there truly can be only one correct answer: LOVE.
I wonder what would change, what would feel different if each morning I were to affirm that “the intention of my life is love.”
The intention of my life is love. ❤
Today I felt like I was approaching 100 percent.
I managed to fully participate in our weekly music meeting, address a number of organizational tasks, and write a number of important (and time-sensitive) emails.
Yay, me! 🥳
A big piece of the puzzle fell into place today, namely….laundry!
I really wasn’t looking forward to tackling five loads worth of dirty clothes; in fact, I only completed four out of the five. But it still felt like a major accomplishment.
I also was finally able to get the latest booster (the bivalent vaccine), which feels really good.
And, finally, progress is being made on music preparations for Spiritual Renewal Week. All in all, a good day.