Brrrrr! It's Cold

It was 31 Degrees last night and it's supposed to get down to 25 tonight..I am aware of what a wimpy homeless person I'd be...I'd be a baby I have to admit....I thank my blessings that I am not...Although, when I am thankful, I also realize the reasons why I am not homeless. A fried was telling me about a trip she took up to Ashland, Oregon and the starteling discovery of how many young people were obviously living on the street up there. I was surprised to hear about this as my recollection of Ashland is that of a tourist destination and of course the Center Of the Universe, West of England for Shakespearean plays. Why would these young people be there? Is the area depressed? Are the young people there un-able to find work? Has there been a large migration of kids to the area for some reason...un-employed actors who couldn't pay for a ride home?..I think Ashland is representative of the plight that has affected all areas and regions of our country. It is hard out there...I see people bedding down down for the night at random locations in San Francisco as I make my way to the bus to head north. Many of them are asleep, passed out..un-aware of where they area or what it going on around them...easy targets for abuse...I often say a prayer as I leave them and hope that they are not abused. Bodies curled up in sleeping bags,no faces visible. I think that there may be people somewhere who don't know that their loved one is in this condition..I don't what to do about this situation. It's huge, ugly and overwhelming in size and scope..Hopefully, many of them will have a meal tomorrow, it is Thanksgiving.

FALL 2010

This is a time when nights are getting cooler. The trees are changing colors. Funny how a just last week it was HOT!! now we are moving to the time of year when one thinks of Cinnamon, hot chocolate, warm bread and you are glad that you have a warm place to sleep at night. This year in Fall I feel a sense of uncertainty. I have just made a move with my job where I wont be commuting to San Francisco on a daily basis. I have reclaimed my life and I am greatful to be out of that grind that was taking from 3 - 4 hours every day of my life. I have gone thru a change with Oneness that causes me to let things happen, to experience each day as it unfolds, consciously...Being in this place is a journey and I feel like I am walking on a long trail. A trail of discovery. What things will I encounter about myself that will provide continued growth and facilitate the continued movement towards a closer bond with the divine. In some ways I am like someone who is wallking outdoors on a cold crisp sunny morning, the air is cold and bracing, you feel awake and clear headed seeing everything lucidly and with clarity. It is a good place to be in because you see, smell, hear and feel much..I don;t want it to end,I love being in this place of discovery. Even though there are many things I am doing as I do them everyday..my is routine...I go to all the places I go to...I am there with new awareness and with a searching mind and heart.

Spring? Summer? Water?

I'm thirsty, for good weather, sunshine, no clouds, warmth from the Sun,a cold one, sitting around outside,barbequeing,chips and salsa, a good glass of wine, a good cigar, loud laughing at cornball humor, watching my garden grow,family gathered around with nowhere they have to be, my flip-flops, shorts and a T-Shirt...AAAHHHH Yes! Sound good??? Tell me what you would add..

What to do about the news

There is so much bad news these days..What to do?? If you pay attention and give it your attention it affects you...If you don't listen in on what's going on you are out of the loop..and out of touch. If you are out of touch so what? These days we live in a society where being in the know is important..in fact we almost cannot not be informed of things because of the availability of news everywhere. The question is what news should we watch, do we need to watch, what affects our daily life, the life of those we love? One could not pay attention, not watch the news, not read papers or the internet..not have a cell phone..I know a couple of people who don't have cell phones, they get by...if you want to get in touch with them, call them on a land line. I've gotten used to playing with my phone and what it can provide...I am used to being occupied at all times...it's like part of how I walk around all the time..How did I get like this...it happened over time...the only time that I am not aware of the world around me is when I meditate or sleep...and then the world creeps into my dreams sometimes. Now more than at any time in my 56 year long life I find myself struggling against a tide of overwhelming negativity. I cannot remember a previous time when even though I might have been going thru personal tragedy, at least IT was all I had to deal with...I didn't have that, AND worry about the things we must be concerned with now..(i.e the economy, pollution, crime, terrorism). This is where we are now...this has got to be taking it's toll on all people. It makes us all a little less at ease, when we are at ease because we know that at any moment..devastation could occur..How can you be a compassionate and caring individual when there are so many who are not..so many who don't care about living with integrity...I want to believe that others do care about making a difference, that others still believe in values. All I can do is keep my own moral compass in-line and live by example. Be what I want in the world..I would invite you to do this as well..If we all do this collectively then our society will be better off..it's the sheer numbers of us doing this that will make a difference. We have to make sure that our voice for good and reason remains to counter-act all that is bad.