Tonight, Ashling would not get into the car. She usually jumps right in with little or no hesitation. But not tonight. She did not want to get into the car. So we tried again. A few more attempts, and she just didn’t want to get in. So we took a little walk away from the car, and tried again. This time she hesitated, but then jumped in. Moments later we pull onto a major road and we see, just ahead, first one, then another, then another, then a fourth deer, running across the road, probably exactly where Ashling and I would have been had she jumped right into the car.

I am reminded that everything happens for a reason.

I am humbled, and grateful.

A fawn

Look upon a fawn,

Then two!

Peering through the leaves and dew.

Feel my love, my warmth, my light,

as I the same of you.

"Live with a dancing spirit.

The stars in the heavens are dancing through space,

the Earth never ceases to spin.

All life is dancing:

the trees with the wind,

the waves on the sea,

the birds,

the fish,

all are performing their own dance of life.

Every living thing is dancing,

and you must keep dancing too,

for the rest... of your life! "

Wisdom for Modern Life by Daisaku Ikeda

Love & Joy

"Choosing to live your life in joy is a revolutionary decision. The mind, however, is a stubborn old machine. All those synapses doing one dance for so long are now being asked to learn another. Daily practice is the key to retraining these connections, and it can be done. A meta-decision helps--to live your life in joy. Then the small forgettings, the automatic return to negative thought patterns become gentle modifications you make along the way.

It's time to try this out seriously. Thinking about it, agreeing with it intellectually, keeps you stepping in place. The way to persuade your head that life can be lived in joy is to practice, practice, practice. Join the Olympics of the Spirit, where everyone gets the gold."

~M.Kennedy

I see your beauty in the half-moon shining bright

Peeking through the clouds tonight

And I am transported elsewhere

Only knowing this when I return.

We are many in body, but one in mind ~

We come in all shapes, sizes, colors, densities,

But that is only the spectrum of the rainbow,
We are all still one brilliant beam of light

~

Know that we are One

Unconditional ~ by Jennifer Welwood

Willing to experience aloneness,

I discover connection everywhere.

Turning to face my fear,

I meet the warrior who lives within.

Opening to my loss,

I gain the embrace of the Universe.

Surrendering into emptiness,

I find fullness without end.



Each condition I flee from pursues me,

Each condition I welcome transforms me

And becomes itself transformed

Into its radiant jewel-like essence.

I bow to the One who has made it so,

Who has crafted the master game,

To play it is pure delight,

To honor its form, true devotion.