Haiku Moment
By Don
friends
..spirits walking with us
....bringing balance to life
Friday, December 31, 2004
In tribute to...
I want to give thanks to all those who have
touched my life in some special way during
2004. There are too many to name here, but
I'd like to mention a few who deserve special
recognition:
1. My dear wife, Mary, for all her ongoing love,
patience, and faith in me--even at times when
I doubted myself. Mary has always been there
to give me the special nudge or encouragement
just when I've needed it. I thank her for all
we have shared together in the past year.
2. Dan Shimp, my childhood friend, who
re-appeared in my life this past February,
after 43 years of not seeing each other. To
Dan, a owe a special thanks for his inspiration
and help along the spiritual path I've traveled
in the last year. Dan has helped me to strengthen
my belief in everyday miracles.
3. Derk Janssen, my Arizona college roommate
and longstanding friend who has helped me along
the spiritual path and has encouraged me to live
a creative life. A special thanks to Derk for being
there.
4. To all my family members, I give a special thanks
for being such an important part of my life in the past
year on a daily basis and from a distance. My thanks to
Dad, my sister Diana, my brother Doug, my sons Jeff
and Jason, my grandson Evan, and my mother-in-law
Ginny.
Love and Sacred Blessings to All!
Don
I want to give thanks to all those who have
touched my life in some special way during
2004. There are too many to name here, but
I'd like to mention a few who deserve special
recognition:
1. My dear wife, Mary, for all her ongoing love,
patience, and faith in me--even at times when
I doubted myself. Mary has always been there
to give me the special nudge or encouragement
just when I've needed it. I thank her for all
we have shared together in the past year.
2. Dan Shimp, my childhood friend, who
re-appeared in my life this past February,
after 43 years of not seeing each other. To
Dan, a owe a special thanks for his inspiration
and help along the spiritual path I've traveled
in the last year. Dan has helped me to strengthen
my belief in everyday miracles.
3. Derk Janssen, my Arizona college roommate
and longstanding friend who has helped me along
the spiritual path and has encouraged me to live
a creative life. A special thanks to Derk for being
there.
4. To all my family members, I give a special thanks
for being such an important part of my life in the past
year on a daily basis and from a distance. My thanks to
Dad, my sister Diana, my brother Doug, my sons Jeff
and Jason, my grandson Evan, and my mother-in-law
Ginny.
Love and Sacred Blessings to All!
Don
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Thursday Thought: The Heart Needs
Hold Onto Nothing
The master shines.
He never says "mine."
Gold, stone, earth—
They are all the same to him.
He is not bound by sloth,
Nor consumed by his own activity.
He has severed the knots which bind his heart.
--Source: From "The Heart of Awareness:
A Translation of the Ashtavakra Gita,"
by Thomas Byrom, 1990. Shambhala
Publications, Inc., Boston.
http://www.shambhala.com
Hold Onto Nothing
The master shines.
He never says "mine."
Gold, stone, earth—
They are all the same to him.
He is not bound by sloth,
Nor consumed by his own activity.
He has severed the knots which bind his heart.
--Source: From "The Heart of Awareness:
A Translation of the Ashtavakra Gita,"
by Thomas Byrom, 1990. Shambhala
Publications, Inc., Boston.
http://www.shambhala.com
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Wednesday Thought: Looking to the New Year
Like most people, I have set some goals for
2005. At the same time, I plan to allow some
"open space" for life to just happen. I plan to
spend more time listening to what my soul has
in store for me.
I anticipate that my poetry will continue to help
communicate what the spiritual path teaches
me. If things go as planned, my first book of poetry
will be published in 2005. This is very exciting.
Like most people, I have set some goals for
2005. At the same time, I plan to allow some
"open space" for life to just happen. I plan to
spend more time listening to what my soul has
in store for me.
I anticipate that my poetry will continue to help
communicate what the spiritual path teaches
me. If things go as planned, my first book of poetry
will be published in 2005. This is very exciting.
To all those who stop by Conscious Living
and warm themselves at its campfire, I wish
you a very Happy New Year.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Tsunami
By Don
Rising from the depths
--Mother Earth's voice speaks
with earth-shattering fury.
She trembles in fear
and proclaims the Medicine Wheel
must regain balance.
Thirty thousand souls return
to their Heavenly womb.
To all lives touched
--we must give our compassion.
To Mother Earth
--we must give our respect
and heed Her warning.
By Don
Rising from the depths
--Mother Earth's voice speaks
with earth-shattering fury.
She trembles in fear
and proclaims the Medicine Wheel
must regain balance.
Thirty thousand souls return
to their Heavenly womb.
To all lives touched
--we must give our compassion.
To Mother Earth
--we must give our respect
and heed Her warning.
Monday, December 27, 2004
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Friday, December 24, 2004
Thursday, December 23, 2004
A Crystal of Snow
By M. Lucille Ford
A crystal of snow is a wonderful thing
With texture as fine as a butterfly's wing;
With network of atoms like filmy spun lace,
Or petal arrangement of fair flower face.
A crystal of snow is a beautiful thing
With the sparkle of drops what to spicers' webs cling
On a bright dewy morn; and the luster of pearl;
Or a diamond gleam on a glistening curl.
A crystal of snow is a curious thing -
With dew of summer - or rain of spring -
And frost of autumn mixed into it all
The flowers of cloudland that earthward do fall.
By M. Lucille Ford
A crystal of snow is a wonderful thing
With texture as fine as a butterfly's wing;
With network of atoms like filmy spun lace,
Or petal arrangement of fair flower face.
A crystal of snow is a beautiful thing
With the sparkle of drops what to spicers' webs cling
On a bright dewy morn; and the luster of pearl;
Or a diamond gleam on a glistening curl.
A crystal of snow is a curious thing -
With dew of summer - or rain of spring -
And frost of autumn mixed into it all
The flowers of cloudland that earthward do fall.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Monday, December 20, 2004
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Sunday Thought: Prayer
Regardless of our spiritual
tradition, we pray in one form
or another. We might think of
three types of prayers: 1) those
to ask and receive; 2) those to give,
especially thanks; and 3) those
to listen for what God or the
Great Spirit has to tell us.
Over the years, I have found that I
given greatest attention to the
first type, or what some theologians
call 'gimme' prayers. I have been
working on creating a balance among
the three types of prayers in my own
life. Meditation is especially helpful to
me in listening to what God has to say
to me personally.
Regardless of our spiritual
tradition, we pray in one form
or another. We might think of
three types of prayers: 1) those
to ask and receive; 2) those to give,
especially thanks; and 3) those
to listen for what God or the
Great Spirit has to tell us.
Over the years, I have found that I
given greatest attention to the
first type, or what some theologians
call 'gimme' prayers. I have been
working on creating a balance among
the three types of prayers in my own
life. Meditation is especially helpful to
me in listening to what God has to say
to me personally.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Disinherit
By Arthur Nguyen
Snow melts childishly
sticks like sugar
numbs my
naked bloodless fingers
Winter
was a part of me before
I saw it
throw down my
short days
here
frightened of this
place which is not mine
Arms are never
long enough to
reach as far back
as we want
But turn your back
and cracked earth grips
with no intention of
release
By Arthur Nguyen
Snow melts childishly
sticks like sugar
numbs my
naked bloodless fingers
Winter
was a part of me before
I saw it
throw down my
short days
here
frightened of this
place which is not mine
Arms are never
long enough to
reach as far back
as we want
But turn your back
and cracked earth grips
with no intention of
release
Friday, December 17, 2004
Friday Thought: The Buffalo
Many American Indian tribes
worshipped the buffalo because
of all it provided to them. For
this reason, the buffalo has become
a well-recognized symbol of
giving, and has been called by many
tribes the "Giver." Let the spirit of
the buffalo fill all of our hearts during
this Christmas Season.
Many American Indian tribes
worshipped the buffalo because
of all it provided to them. For
this reason, the buffalo has become
a well-recognized symbol of
giving, and has been called by many
tribes the "Giver." Let the spirit of
the buffalo fill all of our hearts during
this Christmas Season.
“To Believe...”
Author Unknown
To believe is to know that every day is a new beginning.
It is to trust that miracles happen, and dreams really do come true.
To believe is to see angels dancing among the clouds,
To know the wonder of a stardust sky and the wisdom of the man in the moon.
To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart,
The innocence of a child's eyes and the beauty of an aging hand,
for it is through their teachings we learn to love.
To believe is to find the strength and courage that lies within us.
When it is time to pick up the pieces and begin again.
To believe is to know we are not alone,
That life is a gift and this is our time to cherish it.
To believe is to know that wonderful surprises are just waiting to happen,
And all our hopes and dreams are within reach.
If only we believe.
Author Unknown
To believe is to know that every day is a new beginning.
It is to trust that miracles happen, and dreams really do come true.
To believe is to see angels dancing among the clouds,
To know the wonder of a stardust sky and the wisdom of the man in the moon.
To believe is to know the value of a nurturing heart,
The innocence of a child's eyes and the beauty of an aging hand,
for it is through their teachings we learn to love.
To believe is to find the strength and courage that lies within us.
When it is time to pick up the pieces and begin again.
To believe is to know we are not alone,
That life is a gift and this is our time to cherish it.
To believe is to know that wonderful surprises are just waiting to happen,
And all our hopes and dreams are within reach.
If only we believe.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
On second thought...
Somehow, not only for Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others,
Is the joy that comes back to you.
And the more you spend in blessing,
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's possessing,
Returns to you glad.
--John Greenleaf Whittier
Somehow, not only for Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others,
Is the joy that comes back to you.
And the more you spend in blessing,
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart's possessing,
Returns to you glad.
--John Greenleaf Whittier
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Wednesday Thought: Everyday Sacredness
We're conditioned to look for the sacred on
Sundays, in a church, mosque, or temple, or
some other place with a religious or spiritual
identity. Everything in life is sacred. Every
moment we experience is a "spiritual" moment.
Revel in the magical sacredness of your life
today.
--By Don
We're conditioned to look for the sacred on
Sundays, in a church, mosque, or temple, or
some other place with a religious or spiritual
identity. Everything in life is sacred. Every
moment we experience is a "spiritual" moment.
Revel in the magical sacredness of your life
today.
--By Don
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Monday, December 13, 2004
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Sunday Thought: Real Fullness
"Being full in terms of physical sensations
- sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings -
is to be full of worldly food; but being
filled with the highest joy - which comes
from a peaceful mind free from the
disturbance of sense-object - is to be
full of the food of the Dhamma."
"Being full in terms of physical sensations
- sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings -
is to be full of worldly food; but being
filled with the highest joy - which comes
from a peaceful mind free from the
disturbance of sense-object - is to be
full of the food of the Dhamma."
Saturday, December 11, 2004
On second thought...
Nature's sacred places surround us
everywhere. Tap their special healing
energy. Allow them to touch you and
open your heart.
I discovered just such a place in Pennsylvania:
Cook Forest, which is located about 20 miles
north of Clarion. When you cross the Clarion
River you will see exactly what I mean.
--Don
Nature's sacred places surround us
everywhere. Tap their special healing
energy. Allow them to touch you and
open your heart.
I discovered just such a place in Pennsylvania:
Cook Forest, which is located about 20 miles
north of Clarion. When you cross the Clarion
River you will see exactly what I mean.
--Don
Friday, December 10, 2004
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Monday, December 06, 2004
Christmas Tree Magic
By Don
Behold the beauty of the Christmas tree,
A perfect evergreen triangle for you and me,
Painted with bright bows, tinsel, and lights,
Surrounded by presents and other delights,
In the corner of room she does stand,
Glowing cheerfully for all on hand,
With the fireplace crackling all orange and yellow,
Inside us we feel all warm and mellow,
Even the birds, the squirrels, and the deer,
Stop by the window with good cheer,
The stage is complete as a light snow begins to fall,
And Santa says Merry Christmas to one and all.
By Don
Behold the beauty of the Christmas tree,
A perfect evergreen triangle for you and me,
Painted with bright bows, tinsel, and lights,
Surrounded by presents and other delights,
In the corner of room she does stand,
Glowing cheerfully for all on hand,
With the fireplace crackling all orange and yellow,
Inside us we feel all warm and mellow,
Even the birds, the squirrels, and the deer,
Stop by the window with good cheer,
The stage is complete as a light snow begins to fall,
And Santa says Merry Christmas to one and all.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Winter's Night
By Don
Cold winter's night,
logs of passion burn on,
slumbering cat before the crackling fireplace,
snow-covered deer sleep in the forest,
blankets of fresh fallen snow bring silence...
to an overworked world,
excited heart beats...
thump like drums off in the frozen distance,
we relish a long winter's night with nowhere to go.
By Don
Cold winter's night,
logs of passion burn on,
slumbering cat before the crackling fireplace,
snow-covered deer sleep in the forest,
blankets of fresh fallen snow bring silence...
to an overworked world,
excited heart beats...
thump like drums off in the frozen distance,
we relish a long winter's night with nowhere to go.
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Native Spirit Within
By Don
Before I was me,
I was much more free,
Off the land I did live,
Daily thanks I would give,
New trails I did blaze,
At the stars I did gaze,
Everything was alive back then,
But I don't recall just when,
Ancient echoes call out to me,
Now I truly can see,
Somewhere deep inside,
A native spirit does abide.
By Don
Before I was me,
I was much more free,
Off the land I did live,
Daily thanks I would give,
New trails I did blaze,
At the stars I did gaze,
Before each day I would start,
Direction I took from my heart,
Everything was alive back then,
But I don't recall just when,
Ancient echoes call out to me,
Now I truly can see,
Somewhere deep inside,
A native spirit does abide.
Friday, December 03, 2004
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
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