The dark side longs for something more, with a restlessness and longing to do more in this life, because the current life-state and situation is insufficient.  Its awakened nature sees the overwhelming suffering all around, and its perception is that it should be able to do more to help, but it also believes it cannot where we are today.  There’s a painful desire to escape from the toxic pollution that is this overwhelming misery and negativity, away from what seems to be the uphill battle to remain positive and happy in life.

The light side chimes in, reminding it that where we’re at in this very moment is the absolute perfect time to do exactly what we want with our life.  Every individual and situation we encounter, lost in a blinded and self-inflicted nightmare of victimization and tribulations, simply needs to be awakened from their ignorance.  The ideal path is the one we’re on now, not the path we envision and perceive to having the greener grass.  The only challenge is how to inspire this awakening to simply paying attention.

Teachers remind us to be the change we want to see in others, to find the joy in each moment, to be here and now, non-attached to dreams and delusions that have no concrete existence in the present.  Simple in concept, but also simply the most difficult in practice, especially since western culture and human nature makes it so easy to lapse into the groove so many find themselves stuck within.  The challenge remains, and it is that to which I dedicate my self.

deep breath

What is there that is so terrible that makes you cower so?  Are you absolutely sure beyond a doubt that its not all in your head?  Never underestimate the intoxicating power of delusion.

You do realize that chances are its more afraid of you than you are of it.  That’s why it has you so easily convinced.

Is your attachment so great that the best you can do is to spend your life in fear and negativity, hoping that will help to hold on?  Is that why you complain more than compliment?  Why you reduce instead of reinforce?  Do you need that much attention that you believe acting that way will attract that which you seek?  Why must you hide inside the box instead of stepping outside and exploring the world around you?

Can you be completely honest with yourself and admit that living that way all the time makes you feel better?  Really?

Dylan Thomas said “rage, rage against the dying of the light”…

If you need me, I’ll be over here, embracing it face-to-face with both hands.  I’m not afraid and I’ve got too much to live for.  I can’t waste my entire life afraid of the unknown and seeking a reason to be miserable.  I’d prefer to focus on where I’m at right now in the moment and keep pressing forward in a positive light enjoying the adventure of it all.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not careless, nor have I forgotten to remain mindful of my responsibilities, which means yes, I am going to be a bit more conservative when it comes to decisions that impact the bigger picture.  I do however recognize petty worry when I see it and none of it is worth even a consideration.  My apologies ahead of time then if I tune out when I see that coming…

Don’t be afraid, I’m right here and everything’s going to be alright… reach out… here I am… grab it with both hands and pull it close..its yours…

deep breath

Late afternoon storms rip leaves from the trees, wind blows, rain soaks the earth, leaving a green mess with sunshine behind and work to be done…

The morning after shows little change from the evening chaos, yet the moisture in the air gives the early light something to dance across as it peers from behind the tree line, inspiring feelings of new beginnings and fresh starts…

Cruising along at a comfortable speed, its easy to hurry off to appointments and obligations.  Instead, the foot slides off the accelerator, providing pause to pay attention to what is normally a blur of color and light.

Opportunities for solace are all around if the voices would just stop for a second or two.  Within that momentary silence, a smile forms.  A smile based in wisdom, compassion, and love for all things.

deep breath…

As I lay in bed, breathing gently and evenly to relax and drift off into slumber, I considered my day and what I had given and received.  Not necessarily seeking an eye-for-an-eye or material gain, I instead considered how I had contributed to the well-being of those I came into contact with, and how perhaps others had done the same for me.

I believe our society has convinced us that we need to maintain the upper-hand whatever the cost in life, playing a never-ending game of “king of the hill” never to be truly won due to even (or blatantly uneven) teams and an insatiable hunger for victory.  This belief leads us to an endless quest for material wealth, the next big move in life that will hopefully guarantee that brass ring that we’ve been seeking all our lives, and perhaps the security to know that we’re going to be happy forever.  Instead what seems to happen is the brass ring doesn’t quite fit, or the jeweler has decided to make one a bit nicer than the original.  Once again, we return to our quest and our misery, lost in life without that which we desire.  Some call it Hell, some call it Samsara, others even venture to call it human nature.

What if, instead of this repetitive pattern of pleasure-seeking, we remember what we have forgotten.  A loving and supportive family, a home and bed to call our own, a clean glass of fresh water, a beautiful sky, and the sound of a gentle rain and night-time creatures.  All things we cherish, all things many of us have every day, yet take for granted because they are simply there, without necessarily seeking our attention, but always willing to put a smile on our face.  If somehow we could learn to remember these things, while also making a right-effort to contribute towards a positive way of life for all beings, perhaps we would understand we don’t need to obsess over that which we do not have, but instead on what we do.

And then simply smile…

Yet another reminder from life to remain mindful of what matters most in life, to let the remainder soak in, then to let it go. No attachment, no suffering…

I often ponder the concept of reincarnation, and consider a substantial reason for its existence to be for the innocent. Beyond all the children that have perished due to greed, war, famine, and ignorance, consider all living things that have died this way. Isn’t it only fair that these beings be given at least one more chance to live life to the fullest?

You’ve got, got, got no time. Life is what you make it.

deep breath

I wonder why I should long for anything more…

…why this can’t last forever

..then I remember

it can…

i am home

The rest have a quizzical look of confusion about them still caught up in their own hum-drum mundane lives, worried about crunching numbers, metrics, and deadlines, confused as to why the rest of us are so happy…oblivious to the little things in life that have us on our morning high…

those of us smiling are leaking metta and hopefully enough positive energy to blow through this final work-day of the week and onto a great weekend…maybe those with their own clouds overhead will feel a bit of our sunshine and find a reason to smile too…

feel the warm sun on your skin, breath deep the cool morning air, turn up the music, keep on rockin’ in the free world!

happy friday!

deep breath

the day destroys the night, night divides the day, try to run, try to hide, break on through to the other side…

I’ll see you there

create a good Friday everyone, with strength, hope, faith, and a smile, may you find yourselves content in peace and happiness..

…inspiring me to meet my daily challenges head-on, face-to-face with courage and compassion…

…reasons to complain transform into reasons to learn, to grow, to show me to be the better man…

…i’ll put myself in your shoes and be the king of hearts, with love for you all, with perseverance to overcome all..

..stand tall, stand strong, be unwavering in the storm, show them all your blinding light…

deep breath

…depression has returned, feelings of the world against me, on the road to failure…

…should I see a doctor? But i’m a Buddhist, I should be able to tame the monkey myself, without a “professional” and their magic bag of synthetic band-aids for the mind…

…the list doesn’t get any smaller, the peace and relief doesn’t last long…I know this is what life is all about…

…no help, afraid to ask, but when I do, it doesn’t seem to sink in…why bother…

…I want to do more, I look for opportunities, try to create my own…there has to be something…

…remain hopeful, try to smile, remain strong, yet scattered…