Class Of December 2013 - Part 10
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waking down
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Originally Posted by jackrussell 
May the good guys win in America's election today!
waking down
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,641
Ha! I still have some marbles, but I can't say I've kept all of them. Lost quite a few by the time I finished high school, and the next few decades were kind of scattered. I do believe, though, that at this point I'm gathering more marbles than I'm losing.
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: kingston ontario canada
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Firewood baking in the sun the past 6 months went into the basement this weekend. I'm a bit stiff and sore, but it's all part of the circle here. When I put firewood into my house in the last days before winter, I always imagine the flames from the heat that those logs will generate from the wood furnace in those dark, frigid winter nights. Clear, cold night skies in winter here. Clear tonight. Warm snap, weather-wise, for the next week. Almost full moon. Brightest moon tomorrow night since 1948. Will definitely witness, and breathe in that cool night air. I guess that I have to admit that temperature is a very important life force for me. Defines poles on the pleasure/ pain spectrum. All pleasure today.
waking down
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,641
Spent the day running the inn, taking care of dogs, and studying. I should have gotten outside more. The weather will change soon here, as well. Plan to view the moon tonight. Wife reports the moonrise yesterday was spectacular.
Part of the studying I did yesterday was about aspirations, specifically what we "wanted to be" when we were young and if it's worth reexamining today. A couple of quotes that rung true for me:
Planting orchards in the Sahara
Rearranging furniture on the Titanic
Heroic efforts doomed to failure
Seeking approval
Trying to help people who don't want your help
This has been my job for years. I've felt like a failure, but that's not entirely true. A few people have noticed that I've made some small difference. Still, I've hit a wall. I'm counting the days!
Part of the studying I did yesterday was about aspirations, specifically what we "wanted to be" when we were young and if it's worth reexamining today. A couple of quotes that rung true for me:
Planting orchards in the Sahara
Rearranging furniture on the Titanic
Heroic efforts doomed to failure
Seeking approval
Trying to help people who don't want your help
This has been my job for years. I've felt like a failure, but that's not entirely true. A few people have noticed that I've made some small difference. Still, I've hit a wall. I'm counting the days!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: kingston ontario canada
Posts: 656
I think that making small differences is what it's all about. If I were writing a screenplay for a Bruce Willis film, all the differences would be huge. And many. But in our other, living breathing world, it's the little ones that nudge the whole show ahead. I saw this Pema Chodron quote on my Facebook feed today;
"The most straightforward advice on awakening enlightened mind is this: practice not causing harm to anyone-yourself or others- and everyday, do what you can to be helpful."
I like that. And there's a big honkin' need for helpfulness out there. Or rather, out here.
"The most straightforward advice on awakening enlightened mind is this: practice not causing harm to anyone-yourself or others- and everyday, do what you can to be helpful."
I like that. And there's a big honkin' need for helpfulness out there. Or rather, out here.
waking down
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,641
Been practicing tonglen, which is kind of scary, you know, breathing in the dirty and the negative. It seems counterintuitive. http://kaykeys.net/spirit/buddhism/tonglen.html (see the bottom of the page) And my sister has cancer, so I'm not sure I can deal. Maybe I'll go back to the loving-kindness and compassion meditation. Sometimes this **** freaks me out.
waking down
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,641
Thanks, Dee. I'll be okay, but she's struggling with the unknown. She has a second surgery in December, and I get some vacation time so I'll fly out and spend a week with her post surgery. Then the radiation... My experience with anxiety is helping her with strategies. She doesn't want to take Xanax or Valium on top of everything else...
waking down
Join Date: Dec 2013
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Had a gig last night. I played rhythm and percussion mostly - took a back seat. It wasn't well attended but it was well received. Two more gigs next week, one with accompaniment from the front man in the band last night, and another solo. Small bar gigs, but something to do. Started writing songs again, or one anyway, something I haven't done in years. Trying to memorize it and try another. Getting tired of playing the same old covers. Took some advice from Dylan and decided instead of learning a tune I liked, I rewrote the lyrics and changed the chords, which changed the melody, and it evolved into something worthy. Nice trick.
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Join Date: Feb 2014
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I thought that this story about how an accidental generous incident could thrust someone forward, is inspirational. FYI:
'Like a religious moment': The gift that gave Camilla Gibb a new life - Home | The Current with Anna Maria Tremonti | CBC Radio
'Like a religious moment': The gift that gave Camilla Gibb a new life - Home | The Current with Anna Maria Tremonti | CBC Radio
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