#27 Mindful Sunday

Today was filled with hard work, joy and mindfulness.
I feel very contented now. In the morning I called a family meeting and gathered everyone (except the baby) at the dining room table. I said we need to all work together to clean the house. We arranged to all meet at 1 p.m. and spend an hour on house cleaning. It sure felt good to see everyone working toward a common goal. The house looked better.
After that I went for a run, and I managed to complete two miles, which is a big accomplishment, since I couldn't do that the last time I tried. I am finally getting back in shape again.
And finally I led the sangha in a remarkably spiritually fulfilling session. It felt good too. We talked about the beauty of letting go of craving and desire. That is the key.
Peace...

#26 Too Busy

It is Veterans Day, 11/11, and I am still too busy.
I went into the office yesterday and today to finish up grading papers for my on-line class. It is a relief to finally get caught up on that.
Last Sunday my whole family moved back home, so we went from a household of three to a household of four, including four generations, since my grandson and m other-in-law are both living here now. It is quite a zoo.
After I finished working today, my son Ben and I went for a nice motorcycle ride together around Dennis. That was a lot of fun.
As for mindfulness, my mentor, Joanne recommended that I look deeply at what is motivating me to take on so much work and so many extra duties and responsibilities. I suspect it is an insatiable need for approval. It is as if I am looking for approval constantly. That will be fuel for my meditation for quite a while.

#25 Smiling

I am still too busy, but I am smiling at my busy-ness.
No, English students, that is not a word.
I am smiling that "Anonymous" sent me a reminder of Mary Chapin Carpenter's wonderful verse from "Almost Home":
"I'm just resting in the arms of the great wide open."
Ah, yes. Thank you, "Anonymous, and thank you, Mary Chapin Carpenter. I am not sure, but I think it is about the Buddhist practice of letting go. I need to remember my great epiphany when I learned to let go of so many of my attachments. That always helps.

Thanks also to Kevin Kling, whose story on NPR's 'All Things Considered is so beautiful. I have listened to it over and over again, and it just gets better and better. It is funny and profound and interesting and surprising. Listen to it here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6417957

If you listen and like it, please let me know.
Peace...