A Buddhist Rice Bowl

November 26th, 2013
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Here Is Something To Think About. . . .

“In Zen Buddhism, there’s a concept called ‘zen mind,’ or beginner’s mind.’  They say that the mind should be like an empty rice bowl.

If it’s already full, then the universe can’t fill it.

If it’s empty, it has room to receive.

This means that when we think we have things figured out, we’re not teachable.  Genuine insight can’t dawn on a mind that’s not open to receive it.

Surrender is a process of emptying the mind.”

                                  ~ By Marianne Williamson, “A Return To Love,
Reflections on the Principles of A … Read More

A Healing Patch of Green In Richmond

October 28th, 2013
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I took a road trip to Richmond, Virginia this past Saturday to visit my son and his girlfriend and we spent part of the day leisurely strolling the grounds of a breathtaking place called Maymont. I knew nothing about Maymont but was happy to go along and discover more about this estate and 100 acre park given to the city of Richmond in 1925 by James Henry and Sallie May Dooley.  As we walked through the nature center and then went out its back doors, rolling hills of green and rows of small rose bushes and manicured gardens greeted us. … Read More

Truly Breathing

October 8th, 2013
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Breathing, centering, finding my inner peace.  That is what today is about. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, author, poet and peace activist. Just typing the combination of those words makes me feel calmer. I know that somewhere, under all the rushing and running around and multi-tasking is a peaceful inner core, and my aim is to find it. But first I have to create the conditions to get to it. What is the hurry? With the help of Thich Nhat Hanh’s quote below, I will decrease the speed with which I am living my life.  I… Read More

Sea of Turquoise

August 29th, 2013
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Today is about tranquility, the quality of being calm. Enter a sea of turquoise. . . And take a deep breath And exhale. . . You could do it all here: cry, laugh and heal!   Photo Courtesy of House of Turquoise… Read More

Exiting The Control Lane

July 26th, 2013
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It is Friday and I am one big burnt piece of toast! It has been a week of going to the hospital (hopefully my Dad will be discharged today), car maintenance (way too expensive) and early starts at work (hate the alarm).  But I am truly looking forward to the end of today because that is when my well-deserved vacation begins!!!!!! As hard as I try to maneuver around the built-in stress of the above situations, I am just a human being like anyone else and I do get sucked into worrying about all of these things instead of having… Read More

A Peaceful Soul

July 20th, 2013
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Thought For The Day. . . Photo Courtesy of The Secrets of the Sea For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.                        ~ Judy Garland… Read More

A Daily Om

June 7th, 2013
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We all need a mental health break, don’t we?  I just didn’t expect to find one downtown in a city park. While walking down the street yesterday during lunch hour in the downtown area of the nation’s capitol, I spied a large white tent set up across the street in a park known as McPherson Square.  The tent reminded me of one of those large white tents that people use at outdoor wedding receptions.  I could only see the back of the tent so, ever the curious one, I walked over to check it out. Somebody must be promoting something,… Read More

Unwanted Care

June 5th, 2013
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How do you try to take care of someone when they don’t want you to? I’m sure you must know a person you care about and perhaps even love who doesn’t want you to help them even though it is obvious that help is very much needed. You understand the frustration right? It’s the frustation of no matter how hard you try to offer various kinds of support, you never are able to do the right thing, the thing that will make them happy. This is what I know I can do: I call on the telephone, I listen, I… Read More

Picturing The Calm

May 18th, 2013
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I’m picturing myself in a place near the water that is quiet and calm. Shutting out the noise and distractions. Hoping this feeling will carry me through the day! Photo courtesy of Delaware National Estuarine Research A Delaware Bay Haiku (c) KBC Horseshoe crabs spawning Lots of shorebirds arriving The Bay inviting… Read More