Category: Great Minds

There are many ways to understand the universe:  through superstition, religion, philosophy, science and so forth.  While each approach has it’s own experts- scientists, priests, philosophers, doctors, poets- all are merely blind men receiving different impressions from touching the same elephant.  A priest may feel its legs and say life is like a tree trunk; a scientist holding its tail may find that life is rope like; a poet feeling an ear may proclaim life is like a lotus leaf;

A flame that is well nourished and thriving holds all the power of a sea of angels, lifting you abut the seductive temptations of the past and securing you in the wisdom and guidance of your divine source.  But, like any fire your internal flame must be looked after and protected.  To keep it burning brightly, you must honor and care for it, listen to it, tend to it, and nourish it.  You are the keeper of your soul,

The Summer Day, by Mary Oliver

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.

We are all beautiful, interesting, intriguing, and mysteriously magical.  Celebrate the Phenomenal Woman in you!

Phenomenal Woman, by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,

The Three Gatekeepers

According to traditional Buddhist teaching there are three gatekeepers your words must pass thru before they leave your mouth:  The words must first be true.  They must then be kind.  And, lastly they must be necessary.

If words are true, but not kind or necessary you abuse the receiving person, bludgeoning them with the truth:  It’s true, therefore I have the right to say it.  A lot of hurtful words and power dynamic get delivered in the wrapping of The Truth.

The Guest House

by Rumi

This human being is a guest house,

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

Some momentary awareness comes

As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

Who violently sweep your house

Empty of its furniture,

Still, treat each guest honorably.

She may be clearing you out

For some new delight.

If a Dog Were Your Teacher

These are some of the lessons you might learn…

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When it’s in your best interest practice obedience.

Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.

St. Theresa’s Prayer

May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Any one who knows me, knows I love fireworks!  I think they rank right up there with chocolate cake, winning lottery tickets and vacation days.  The link below is one of the most amazing firework displays I have seen.  The artist Cai Guoqiang created the stunning spectacle in tribute to his grandmother.  Check it out!

Stairway to Heaven.mp4