This morning as I awoke it occurred to me how richly abundant we are in this world. There are so many gifts put in front of us each day. The question that occurred to me was, "How many of us notice these gifts?" I will make this personal. Yesterday, a friend took me to the airport, dropped me off, and told me how grateful he/she was for me. After enjoying a few hours watching people hurry about the airport, I got on my flight, enjoyed being the only person on my row of seats, arrived at my destination at warp speed and had another friend pick me up, give me a hug and tell me "Welcome home!" Now how good does it get?
   Sometimes I have to remind myself how blessed my life is. Oh, sure, there are situations that tug at my heart, make me crazy and brings tears to my eyes. However, that too, reminds me how richly abundant I am to have so many people and situations in my life that offers me the opportunity to really "feel"the full spectrum of emotions that being on this planet offers. Now, how abundant is that? 
 

   This morning I am reminded that clarity is always present; we just have to be patient until we can see it! The fog is thick this morning, Grandfather sun has not yet made his ascent. The skies are beginning to lighten, so I am reminded he's on his way. 

  Someone referenced the word Parataxic last evening while in a conversation about a couple who have been married a long time. Seems the husband is going in for back surgery and his wife will not be present since she is spending time helping their daughter's with their grandchildren. I commented I was perplexed with their relationship and that decision. I am certainly not judging them, everyone has to define their own relationship.
  So, I looked up parataxic and found it was a psychological disorder - "a distortion in perception, especially of interpersonal relationships, based on a tendency to perceive others in accordance with a pattern determined by previous experiences."
  Well, that seemed a "fancy" way to say, anything goes! And, rightfully so. We live in a world where everything is subject to personal interpretation, and that is freedom, I suppose. We have been domesticated to interpret everything as defined by societal norms rather then on our human heart! So, what this woman would like to say is throw out the fancy words, psychological interpretations and allow our hearts to define love! 
  A memory came forth from this "musing" this morning. I remembered a conversation with my children about marriage relationships when one looked at me as though to say, "What do you know about that?" (I have been single for 28 years.) I looked at my child and said, "Just because I am divorced doesn't mean I do not know about love." 
  So, this morning I realize that "being in relationship" does not always mean you are "in love." Just as being single does not mean you do not know about love. It seems to me the heart knows about love, that is our "expert" with whom we can seek guidance, and then, perhaps we will not have a parataxic distortion and, instead, have a heart felt connection to another human being. The truth of the matter is because my heart knows love so deeply, it has settled for nothing less. 
   Please share your perspective!

  Arrived at my Mother's house in Florida Thursday evening to a refrigerator/freezer full of mold and maggots. Needless to say, it was a most unpleasant welcoming! After 3 hours of cleaning and scrubbing, I went to the neighbors to check in with her. When no one answered the door, I made an assumptions she was back in the hospital and decided to call a few in the surrounding area the next day.
  She is an elderly lady who lives alone and has been estranged from her family for many years. She has two children still alive that have absolutely no contact with her. It has always been amazing to me how her children could simply not speak to her. Oh, she's a crusty old woman who is direct and speaks her truth. However, in the 25 years I have known her, I have discovered what a generous and caring heart is beneath that rough exterior.
  Everyone has wounds from past conflicts with family and/or friends. Anyone alive has had to deal with an individual or two who seem to have no compassion for others. And, most certainly, each of us have been hurt by the words or deeds of another human being.
  It is in the response we choose we either harden our heart, or allow ourselves to feel the disappointment, betrayal, or whatever words fits the experience and move through the emotions. 
  Yesterday I found my friend dead in her home. She had apparently been deceased for several days. It appears she simply fell asleep in her recliner and never woke up. That brings me some comfort. 
  It is not the passing from this life to another that pierced my heart, it was the thought that she died alone and undiscovered for several days. As strong of a woman as I am, the sight immediately pierced my heart. So, after calling 911, observing the "protocol" of the authorities, I went back to my Mother's house and began weeding. I pulled, cut, stacked, and cried. It was precisely what my friend who had done if she would have been put in that situation.
  What I know, is the Mayan teaching of, "Chop Wood, Carry Water," was what the indigenous people did to cope with such deep emotions. I am grateful to have learned that "technique" early in life, for it has carried me well. There is much to be said about allowing our physical body to exert itself on the behalf of the community and oneself. I am grateful for the way in which communities come together to help their neighbors when disasters and crisis come along; it is truly, Love in Action. I am grateful to the ancestors for leaving such teachings for us to use today and I am grateful for those that have kept the teachings "in action" so the next seven generations can benefit from such wisdom. It certainly helped my heart.

  I attended a retreat with Anam Thubten at the TMBCC this past weekend. It was, as usual, an amazing and peaceful experience. If you would like to know more about his teachings he has published two books: "No Self, No problem," and "The Magic of Awareness." Both are a quick and easy read while offering profound teachings for those seeking a peaceful life!
  The weekend was packed with wisdom, so I will only share the last words he shared. He was answering questions people wrote down on paper and gave to him. One person asked how he felt about Gandhi's words that we have become so technologically advanced that humanity has stepped backward. (I am recalling how the statement was spoken) Anam simply answered, "Human nature is pure and innocent. It is neither right nor wrong. It is our perspective that interprets."
  Now, how powerful is that? And, if we "sit" in the quietness of our heart, we know that is true. I see our world as changing toward community, compassion. Everywhere I go I see people gathering, sharing, holding benefits, walks, fundraisers for people in need in their community. I see citizens cleaning up their neighborhoods, walking more, enjoying the outdoors. 
  We are so very fortunate to live in this country. All one has to do is look at the evening news and see that much of the world has unrest. So, it seems to me, if we want to help, we need to start in our own home by noticing what is good, loving and above all of value. If we can do that, we contribute to putting more "good vibes" into the ether's and perhaps help those that only believe the world is a mess! Change happens when things are shaken up! Let's see if we can help that "resettling" to be one of hope, peace, community! Good, bad, or ugly, we are in this together! So, the question is, what are YOU contributing?

   I went to Barnes and Nobles yesterday to order a book for my daughter and a male clerk took the order. He seemed quite friendly, had a very pleasant "feel" and was most polite. I could not remember the exact name of the book, so I gave him a few words and he entered them until the title, "The Global Heart Awakens," came up. I promptly affirmed that was the book, to which his smile turned to a frown and he commented something like, "Yeah, like that's going to happen!"
   I watched a very cordial, gentle man turned very skeptical and bitter within seconds as he continued with, "And, I voted for the guy, I thought he would be different and he's not." As his face became red I felt sadness, not anger from him as he continued, "We are about to be in a third war, I thought he was against such things. Well, the other 'guy' would have been the same, so what chose did we really have, they are all alike."
   While I am recalling what word order he gave, the meaning was loud and clear. Here was a caring individual who had hope when he voted. I mean, he was kind and polite when he greeted me, and yet, at the very sight of a book title his face turned hard, discouraged, without hope. It was very sad. 
  There are many things we need in this world to bring about the change most of us wish to see. I dare say no one wants to watch the results of chemical warfare plastered on a TV screen no more then that daily violence reported every day. And yet, we do not want to be an ostrich and have our heads in the sand leaving our "rear" in the air. So, what can we do?
   For me, I will recall the words of Gandhi, "Be the change I wish to see in the world." Somehow we must hold onto Hope! We have to pray each day for strength to not just believe, but know things will get better. To allow our hearts to "turn off" to that possibility will only serve to add to the discouragement seen on the faces of people we encounter each day. 
   I am thinking I will order another one of those books and take it to the gentleman. He has a very good heart and his words show he does know what hope feels like, so perhaps reading that book will help restore some renewed hope for our planet.
   If you have not read the book, I highly recommend it. It is an easy read, very down to earth, and filled with Truths, not just some ideology someone espouses. No doubt, it will give you a better understanding where we are on this planet and help you to see we truly are moving in a very positive direction - that is, if each of us are willing to examine our hearts and allow it to teach us how to be the sacred human beings we really are.