piecesofpeace1

Daily Ground – – -January 17

For what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

-The Book of Micah, chapter 6, verse 8

Most of us feel the world requires more from us than the Lord does in the above quote from Micah.   The world requires us to work harder, get better jobs, accumulate more things, plan brilliant vacations, give our children the best device, wear brand names, keep up with the Jones’ etc., etc.  The pace of life certainly seems challenging. The above quote may seem simpler at first glance, but it truly is a tall order.

How do we reconcile living in the world and being just, kind, and humble to all human beings.  It’s easy to be just and kind  if someone votes for the same politician, practices the same faith tradition, and is in the same tax bracket, as you.  But when we see the person on the corner, poor and asking for money, it is fairly easy to say something derogatory, assume they are drug addicted, lazy, and part of the problem the party in power is creating.

None of us is perfect. Yes – it is easier to get along with those that look and smell like we do.  But I’ve found that being pushed and stretched to be with strangers (with other)  is truly the only way to grow spiritually. Ask your God for help with this. Have faith. It can happen. Today –  try to be kind to every soul you encounter – even if you do it 70% of the time.  The world will be a better place.

Peace.

Daily Ground – – -January 13th

“Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.”

― Andy Rooney

There was a time in my life when pain was the touchstone to spiritual growth.  I had to be backed against the proverbial wall (wailing) before I would surrender and change.  Although I can still use pain as a lesson, I have learned to change and grow without being in agony. Often it comes from simply sitting: turning off the noise from the world, checking my motives through self examination, listening to spiritual friends, telling on myself, and trusting that all is well in the universe.

Don’t run from the pain of the climb, you will be amazed at what you find when you stop grimacing and get your stride.

Peace.

Daily Ground – – – January 11th

You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. – – -Unknown

What are you afraid of? Starting a new job, sending your child to a sleepover, going back to school at 40, the economy?  Fears are like waves in the ocean, there is no use in fighting them, just ride the surf.  Unfortunately the older we get,the more mucked up our minds get, and sometimes we can’t even admit that it is fear we are feeling.

Here’s the thing: fear is in your mind. It usually has nothing to do with what is going on right in front of you.  It has to do with a past event that gets triggered or a succession of worries about the future. Your mind really is out to get you.

My sister had leukemia for 10 months, and I was her caretaker. At the time of her illness I had a very flexible job, and I was able to be there often.  As she was in remission, I was offered a new job.  The worry was maddening.  I worried she would get sick again, and that I wouldn’t be able to care for her, and that I would lose my job, and that my family would suffer.  My. Mind.  Would. Not.  Stop.

I was starting the new position in June. My sister died the April before I began.  All that worrying was for naught. The outcome was devastating, but the lesson was not lost.  Do I really think I have control over events – over sickness and health – over life and death? All of that agonizing worrying about a job choice was centered in my mind.  I wasn’t riding the waves of life. I was fighting them, drowning, and missing the moments right in front of me.

I can still get caught in worry mind, but I usually get out of it before I sink.  I lean into the waves instead of fighting.  The thinking is always, always, always worse than the actual doing.

Peace.

Daily Ground – – -January 9th

Stay in your lane. . .

I once heard a Buddhist Monk tell a story:  A new monk entered a monastery and he witnessed the young monks washing the older monk’s feet at the end of each day. The new monk thought to himself, “How stupid. Look at these silly monks. They are really pumping up that old monk’s ego.” Day after day, 30 young monks would rush to wash this venerable monk’s feet.  The new monk would continue thinking, “That is disgusting! Why are 30 monks washing his feet? I’ll never do that!” Days passed and the new monk was stuck in his head with his angry thoughts. Eventually he let go a bit, and began to think, “Why am I so angry about this? They aren’t really hurting anyone. Why is their behavior disturbing me? They aren’t even asking me to participate, and they don’t seem to be judging me. In fact, they look pretty happy washing his feet.” The next day instead of 30 monks washing feet, 31 monks washed the venerable monk’s feet.

I can find myself being outraged for things that truly don’t affect me.  When I don’t create space between myself and others – it sure FEELS like it affects me, but once I can truly look at my thoughts and feelings for what they are, like the monk did in the story, I can at the very least stop my disgust and anger at others, and at best, I can join in washing feet.

Peace.