A Child's Prayer for all of Us

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From here on earth, 

From my small place 

I ask of You 

Way out in space: 

Please tell all men 

In every land 

What You and I 

Both understand...

Please tell all men 

That Peace is Good 

That's all 

That need be understood 

In every world 

In Your great sky. 

(We understand

Both You and I.) 

  -Dr. Seuss

A Grown Up Christmas Wish

As Christmas nears, many of us find ourselves caught up in the not enough time, too much to do, high dollar experience of the holiday season.  We hope this beautiful video will provide you a few minutes to pause, reflect and remember that the greatest gifts are not those grandly wrapped and placed beneath the tree, but are the intentions of the heart to make the world a better place for all humankind.

We thank  Kelly Clarkson for her beautiful rendition of David Foster's touching composition and Rob Pattinson for putting it all together in this wonderful video and add our hopes for the safe return of those fighting in Afghanistan as well.

We wish you and your loved ones much comfort and joy.

Dorothy and Susan

Live Life with Passion

Man, unlike the animal, has never learned that 

the sole purpose of life is to enjoy it.

-Samuel Butler

The holiday season is upon us. Today we offer up some food for thought, a reminder of the true purpose of our time here on earth, that will perhaps help buoy you through the hectic days ahead. We hope this poem touches your heart and reminds you to enjoy the day and every day.

The Dash Poem

by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth

And spoke of the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

That she spent alive on earth

And now only those who loved her

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,

The cars, the house, the cash,

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;

Are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left

That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what's true and real

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect

And more often wear a smile,

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read

With your life's actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

Lessons from Geese

"The autumn hill gathers the remaining light,
A flying bird chases after its companion.
The green color is bright
And brings me into the moment,
like a sunset mist that has no fixed place."
                            Wang Wei

The first Winter Storm Advisory went up yesterday here on the Wasatch Back. Snow is expected by week’s end and messages about snow tires and boots fill my mailbox. The shift feels both melancholy and exhilarating!  I’m sad that the glorious autumn we’ve enjoyed is waning but grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to soak it up: the epic hikes, soul-filling vistas, and dinners on the deck in OCTOBER – these memories will help to warm my heart in the months ahead. Soon, I’ll be storing my walking stick and pulling out the snowshoes to enjoy new adventures in the pristine drifts in the meadows near my home.  To everything there is a season…..

Yesterday I decided to head into the yard to get some of the leaves raked off the lawn before the flakes fly.  Even though the blustery wind had turned my plan into a rather futile exercise, it was warm and sunny, the dog was providing great entertainment chasing leaves and bees and grasshoppers, so I lingered. I’m so glad I did, for otherwise I would have missed the, possibly, last flock of geese passing by; a sight and sound that always moves me! 

The scene made me think of a seminar I attended sometime ago, and I’d like to share the “take away” (still with me after many years) with you:

Lessons from Geese

1.    As each goose flaps its wings, it creates uplift for others behind it. There is 71 percent more flying range in V-formation that in flying alone.

~Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of purpose can get there more quickly.

2.    Whenever a goose flies out of formation, it feels drag and tries to get back into position.

               ~Lesson: It's harder to do something alone than together.

3.    When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the head.

~Lesson: Shared leadership and interdependence give us each a chance to lead as well as an opportunity to rest.

4.    The geese flying in the rear of the formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

  ~Lesson: Encouragement is motivating. We need to make sure our "honking" is encouraging - and not discouraging.

5.    When a goose gets sick or wounded and falls, two geese fall out and stay with it until it revives or dies. Then they catch up or join another flock.

 ~Lesson: We should stand by our colleagues in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

  

Nothing puts me in the moment, and in the reality of my place and connectedness to the greater world, better than a little nudge from nature.  We are all part of a bigger picture. Whether in our family circles, our workplace teams, our community’s development, or our world’s betterment, our individual choice and commitment to do the right thing strengthens the greater good for all.

Fly with the greatness of others, do your part today, and every day!

Wishing you joy in all seasons,

Dorothy

(In attempting to properly acknowledge the author of the above, I found Lessons from Geese attributed to a number of different people:  Dr. Robert McNeish, Milton Olson, Angeles Arrien and Ryugen Fisher.  I thank them all for their contribution)

GRACE AND GRATITUDE

 “When you are grateful fear disappears

and abundance appears.”

~ Anthony Robbins

I was smack in the middle of an “I don’t have a thing to wear” moment, with most of the contents of my closet strewn across the bed and floor, when gratitude first entered my live in a conscious way.  Already late for work, I finally threw on a suitable ensemble and dashed to the kitchen to grab a quick breakfast. Standing in front of my open fridge; full to the brim with good, nutritional foods, sweet treats and a jug of clean water – it hit me:  While I was furiously rummaging through my closet FULL of quality clothing - cursing the clothes gods for my lack, and then there fretting in a kitchen stocked to extravagance, 1,000’s, no, 100’s of 1,000’s of women across the globe had likely dressed in their only item of clothing, had been on the move for hours, and would likely spend the rest of the day searching for something their family could eat. The image literally brought me to my knees.  It was an AH-HA moment that struck like lightening, and has remained with me ever since.

I spent the next few days in hyper- conscious thought around all my good fortune and its contrast to the many who had so much less. Recalling how inconvenienced I felt when my car broke down and I had to rely on family members to transport me to and from my daily labors for a few days, I thought about the millions of men and women who awakened in the dark to start the long hours of maneuvering through the public transportation system to ultimately reach their work place (where they likely earned barely a living wage).  I recalled the fear and anxiety I felt when my Mom became ill and entered the medical system for the first time and about the people who carried their loved ones for miles and days, in hopes that the visiting nurse in a hut in the next village might have something to ease their pain.  I thought about the many wonderful vacations I’ve enjoyed with family and friends and then of all the people who, because of their circumstances, had never left the towns or villages of their birth, had never seen the ocean or a forest.

Gratefully, I resisted the temptation to sell all my material goods and run off to save a third world country, and instead came to this realization:  it is not for us to lord our good fortune over others’, nor to discard the gifts we are given, but to receive, with gratitude, that which comes our way and share it, where we can, through compassion, kindness and love. 

That is what I’ve tried to do, in some small way, each day since that morning on my knees in front of the refrigerator. Since then I’ve been committed to being grateful everyday, thoughtfully finding and acknowledging (I keep a gratitude journal) the Grace in my life, the blue of the sky, the laughter of my grandson, the good fortune of having a safe car. And since I started my practice of gratitude, my life has become even more full of things and people to be grateful for, and I am.

Choose gratitude as your attitude this week – and see what happens. 

Namaste -

Dorothy

September 11, 2001

In Memory....

On the morning of September 11, 2001, 2,977 people from 115 nations

left home expecting to take their seat at the dinner table that night.

May the memory of that horrifying day be a reminder

that we do not know what lies ahead.

Make today matter.

We can, and must, continue to honor those who died September 11, 2001, by living the best life we can, by being good neighbors, citizens, stewards of the earth, by remembering that every minute is a gift, by practicing kindness and compassion, by accepting our differences, and by working together to make the world a better place for children and other living things.

Love One Another,

Dorothy and Susan

Gifts from the Sea

The sea does not reward those who are too anxious,

too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open,

choiceless as a beach - waiting for a gift from the sea.
               Anne Morrow Lindbergh

There is something about being near the sea that changes me. The juxtaposition of fury and serenity settles beneath my skin to my cells and soul, helping me to renew my acceptance of the ebb and flow of life. I am always changed and better for the experience.

A few years ago I had the great pleasure of spending three weeks by the sea, up the coasts of New Hampshire and Maine, and around the Canadian Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It was an awesome, incredible, breathtaking and jaw-dropping journey. But, in spite of the excitement and joy that comes with great adventures, I also carried with me a deep sadness and great concern as some people I love were experiencing great loss and difficult challenges in their lives at the time of my departure.

One evening, on the shore of Peggy’s Cove, on the Southern coast of Nova Scotia, the waves wild in the wake of hurricane Lee, I saw that even after being tossed and tumbled by the fierceness and rage of an angry sea, the beach and shells and rocks and bits of washed up glass had come to rest at last; glistening in the sun, rough edges smoothed, beautiful in a new and triumphant way. In that moment I knew that my loved ones, though tossed and tumbled by the harsh, tumultuous occurrences in their lives, would one day also be glistening in the sun, softened and peaceful again. I was filled with joy and gratitude.

Beyond the heart and head filling memories and images gathered along the way of my travels, I returned from that incredible trip with something else: a gift from the sea – the gift of hope and peace, and a renewal of faith that life, like the sea, will be full of highs and lows, of rage and stillness but if we lay ourselves open to its cycles, trusting that calm will come after the storm, we will arrive on shores worth reaching.

In the vastness of our surroundings there is always something that can show us the way to a deeper knowing.  Whether a small shell or a great ocean, there are truths and wisdom to be learned from nature.  Take the time to see and listen – you’ll be grateful for the gifts.

Happy Trails,

D

Let it Begin With Me

You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.

Indira Gandi

Try as I may to distance myself from the influences of the media, politics, and general discord the world is currently experiencing, staying out of the fray has become a full-time and, sometimes, exhausting effort. I fear it’s taking its toll on me.  There is definitely a disturbance in the force, and I’m feeling a little “off.”

It occurred to me recently that my conversations with others who do not necessarily share my views/values have been less conscious and more defensive and pejorative than is my usual way.  Born from my own fears and sense of uncertainty, I realize I’ve been taking on the role of converter or judge, and in so doing, have diluted and distorted my authenticity, as well as the truths I hold dear.

I do not like this disagreeable me.  So, I am working hard to renew my hope that though I cannot end the wars, stop the hunger, or the MADNESS that seems to have all of humanity off balance right now, I can, by being an honorable, compassionate citizen of the world, soften the hard edges a bit. I believe this matters, so am committed to doing the work. 

It is time for me to drop the rocks of fear, judgment, resentment and uncertainty I seem to be clenching so tightly right now.  It is time for us all to put down the guns, the labels, the inequity of supremacy and entitlement and offer, instead an outstretched hand of trust, understanding and acceptance.  I have come to understand that an outstretched hand does not require that we give up our values or beliefs; it simply enables us to look beyond the conflict to the common ground of our humanity, and reminds us that we can disagree without being disagreeable.

The other day I found myself in a conversation that had the potential of escalating into a true brouhaha.  As the “THEM vs US” lines began being drawn, I forced myself to look directly into the eyes of the person I was speaking with, whose attitude was becoming quite defensive, and began mentally ticking off the things about him I knew we had in common:  Like me, he loves his family, has bills to pay, cares about the environment, votes, volunteers and kisses his dog on the lips. I couldn’t help but giggle. And, when I told him of the dog-kissing image I was holding in my mind, he giggled, too, then reached out his hand and said, “Let’s put this to rest and go find some dogs to kiss!”

Scott Russell Sanders, who’s essays have been said to “cleanse the door of perception”, offers a thoughtful perspective when he asks in Hunting for Hope, “If compassion won't reach across the dinner table, how can it reach across the globe?”

Peace will come out of celebrating our commonalities, not in emphasizing our differences.

It starts with me. It starts with you.

Dorothy

The Miracle of YOU!

Don’t believe in miracles — depend on them. 

~ Laurence J. Peter

Sometimes we all need a little reminder.  This video is truly beautiful. We hope it reminds you that no matter the circumstance of your birth or life, always remember you are a miracle! 

What if Money Didn't Matter?

"Don't let making a living prevent you from living your life."

John Wooden

Please enjoy this beautiful video by Alan Watts - we hope it will open up doors to new considerations for you, just as it did us.

For the Children

A dear friend of mine, who, as you will see, is quite a gifted poet, recently reworked two previous pieces and, kindly, gave me permission to post them here.

Her introduction will speak to the original dates that brought her to these moving words. How can it be that these two poems are again significant? I hope the readings will move you to ask WHY and WHAT?  Why must we continue to bury our children?  And, what can I, you, we all, do to stop the senseless violence that snuffs out these precious lives?  I hope for many of you these tender, yet haunting words will act as a call to action.

Thank you Teresa.

Dorothy

These two poems are dedicated to the hope that lasting and effective changes to our gun control laws will be passed in 2013. The poems were written earlier, “Gun Violence” at the beginning of the Iraq war and “Those Shining Children” in January 2011, after the assault on Arizona Congresswomen Gabrielle Giffords, which also resulted in the death of 4 people, including 3rd grader Christina Green. They have new titles and have been slightly adapted to reflect our current, and sad reality.

                                                Gun Violence

                                                She rests on my lap

                                                The warm,sweet weight

                                                Of this sleeping child anchors me

                                                Pins me to this earth, this here, this now

                                                Calls me to care and protect

                                                The warm, sweet weight

                                                Of our world’s sleeping children

                                                Calls us all

                                                T. A. Goorian

                                               Those Shining Children

                                                The images are retained in our mind’s eye

                                                As if we had gazed too long at candle flame

                                               

                                                We did not know them, those shining children

                                                Who can no longer spread the light

                                                Of their joyous, dancing spirits

                                                Through the lives of their family and friends

                                                But we, as they, will keep them with us

                                                For their images are retained in our mind’s eye

                                                And their spirits laid in trust on our hearts

                                                In memory of Christina-Taylor Green

                                                And The Sandy Hook Twenty

                                                T. A. Goorian