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Achieving equilibrium

Last week was pretty busy. Followed by an intensely active weekend. Leading into a “day off” filled with errands, appointments, and recording.

I thought I was doing just fine with it all…until I tripped and fell on the path leading to our apartment this evening. Nothing serious, but enough to give one pause…

So I had “balance” on my mind as I started writing, although it quickly evolved into the thought of needing to achieve “equilibrium.”

When I began searching for a photo, I think I was unconsciously thinking of a Zen rocks “balance” kind of image. But as soon as I saw this illustration, I knew it was perfect! It describes my life all too well.😄

Ergo the need for balance and achieving equilibrium!

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World Brotherhood Day 2020

This evening we kicked of our (adjusted) holiday season by celebrating World Brotherhood Day entirely online! As with so many other events throughout this remarkable year, creativity and expansive thinking carried the day and it ended up being more inspiring than ever!

The interactive breakout sessions were great fun, but my favorite moment was the spontaneous sing-along of “The Christmas Mystery” after the event was officially “over” — pure bliss!

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Fall colors, sunset light

Sometimes in the autumn at Ananda Village, the fall colors and sunset light combine into such beauty that I feel like I’m living in a Maxfield Parrish painting.

These are just quick snapshots taken on my phone from the Expanding Light Retreat parking lot, but they’re absolutely magical!

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It’s show time!

(No, not that kind of show!) 😂

To cut to the chase, I am sooooo not feeling it tonight!

I’ve been toying with the idea of trying to shift to writing my blog post earlier in the day; maybe this is “sign” that it’s time.

At any rate, ciao for now. I’m going to go watch a show. 📺

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Ever more global

Tomorrow’s the cut-off for participating in our next worldwide virtual choir, so the videos are really starting to pour in.

What’s particularly thrilling to me is the increased participation of devotee singers from more and more locations around the globe every time we do this.

I don’t see how this could ever become “old hat” to me. 🌏

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Thanksgiving leftovers

I have to confess that one thing I love about living in community is not having to cook holiday meals! Did it more than enough times in the past and now I don’t miss it one bit.

Except for leftovers!

So I was grateful to find leftover nutloaf at Master’s Market. Today for lunch we added some easy mashed potatoes and had ourselves a very satisfying Thanksgiving leftovers experience.

I now feel entirely done with Thanksgiving 2020.

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Belly laughs at end of day

As I write this I’m still chuckling over some end of the day silliness between Ramesha and me.

The background would take way too long to explain. Suffice it to say that I heard “kiss in sync” as “kitchen sink” and we were goners!

So, I’m once again feeling consciously and deeply grateful for the gift of a life partner with whom I laugh pretty much every day.

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Thanksgiving weekend comes to an end

Interestingly enough, this has been an especailly enjoyable and deeply satisfying Thanksgiving. I really couldn’t have stayed any closer to home, but I still managed to connect with family and friends. And I’ve particularly enjoyed focusing on gratitude all weekend long.

Now I’m feeling to wrap things up with one of my favorite affirmations for gratitude (it’s from Affirmations for Self-Healing, by Swami Kriyananda).

Affirmation
I give thanks to the giver behind each gift, and to the one Giver behind all that I receive. My gratitude rises with devotion’s incense to the throne of Omnipresence.
Prayer
I thank Thee, Lord, for all Thy blessings. But most of all, I thank Thee for Thy love.

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Gratitude in six words

I really enjoyed reading the six-word memoirs describing what made people thankful in 2020. I had never heard of this form of writing, but it’s quite evocative. The New York Times put out a request for them and received more than 10,000! I feel to share my favorites of the few that they printed.

The crinkling eye above the mask.
My choir still meets on Zoom.
I am bored, but not dead.
Healthcare workers. Healthcare workers. Healthcare workers.
Tried. Failed. Failed worse. Kept going.
Daughter lovingly uninviting me for Thanksgiving.
There’s really more kindness than hate.
Postponed wedding, having a baby instead.
I am thankful to be thankful.