Show A Little Kindness

 

Right from the moment of our birth, we are under the care and kindness of our parents, and then later on in our life when we are oppressed by sickness and become old, we are again dependent on the kindness of others. Since at the beginning and end of our lives we are so dependent on others' kindness, how can it be in the middle that we would neglect kindness towards others?   Tenzin Gyatso14th Dalai Lama

Borrowed Time

Debtors

by Jim Harrison

They used to say we're living on borrowed
time but even when young I wondered
who loaned it to us? In 1948 one grandpa
died stretched tight in a misty oxygen tent,
his four sons gathered, his papery hand
grasping mine. Only a week before, we were fishing.
Now the four sons have all run out of borrowed time
while I'm alive wondering whom I owe
for this indisputable gift of existence.
Of course time is running out. It always
has been a creek heading east, the freight
of water with its surprising heaviness
following the slant of the land, its destiny.
What is lovelier than a creek or riverine thicket?
Say it is an unknown benefactor who gave us
birds and Mozart, the mystery of trees and water
and all living things borrowing time.
Would I still love the creek if I lasted forever?

"Debtors" by Jim Harrison, from Songs of Unreason. © Copper Canyon Press, 2011. Reprinted with permission.

2 Dead Sparrows in 2 Days at My House

Yesterday I found a dead sparrow on my basement landing.  I was grossed out and so sad about this poor little bird's demise.  No doubt brought in by one of my cats.  Then, this morning, I discovered a second dead sparrow right on my front walk leading to the front door.  My heart sank.

So, I looked up meanings for dead sparrows and found that it could mean
someone close to my died recently which is true---my friend, Helen, just passed away too soon at age 61 of stomach cancer.  I am bereft.

Here's what else I found:

Some keywords/symbolic Sparrow meaning s include:

• Joy
• Inclusion
• Creativity
• Simplicity
• Protection
• Community
• Productivity
• Friendliness

Sparrows derive power and protection from their numbers. Always in a clan, they move in clusters, eat in clusters, and are always content as such. This can be quite intimidating to some would-be predators. Safety in numbers is a lesson the Sparrow has to share with us.
The Sparrow is ever vigilant in her goals. She is always bustling for her food, foraging for her nests, and gathering for her young. Fastidious and productive, the Sparrow is a reminder that idle hands (and idle minds) should be avoided in order to live a full, healthy life.
She is a master of flight, and camouflage, and as such the Sparrow teaches us to use our creativity to get around in life - think outside the box, and be creative in solving our problems.
As an bird totem, the Sparrow speaks of higher thoughts and ideals. She beckons us to keep our burdens as light as we can in order to avoid a heavy heart.
In closing, I can’t wrap up this brief piece on the Sparrow meaning without making mention of the traditional hymn “His Eyes are on the Sparrow.” The tune always runs through my head when I ponder the Sparrow and all her gifts. Here is a paraphrase of the song:

“Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely When I know with Source I am One? I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free, The Eye of Source is on the Sparrow, I know Source watches over me.”

No matter what your spiritual affiliation, this hymn offers a fitting partnership to the symbolism of the Sparrow. The core message reminds us that there is safe-keeping, bounty and beauty for even the tiniest of creations. Ergo, there is ample supply of spiritual abundance for us too.

Sharing is Caring

Half the pleasure of solitude comes from having with us

some friend to whom we can say how sweet solitude is.

William Jay

Thoughts About Helen

Good Morning, B,

 

Just a few more thoughts about the healing circle. . .

 

As I mentioned in my phone message, there were

about 15 folks there including Laz, whom I sat next to.

People were crying, on and off, including Laz.  It was

both joyful and sad.  Sometimes we laughed, other times

we cried.  Everyone shared memories of Helen. 

 

Laz told what it was like the last week of life for her.

She'd had stomach pains for about 2 weeks and went to

the doctor for blood tests.  The Tuesday before she died,

they were in bed at 10:30 PM when the phone rang.  It was

her doctor (what Dr. calls someone at 10:30 PM, I thought?)

saying her blood tests showed elevated levels and that they

should go to the ER immediately.  So, they did.

 

It was all downhill from there.  (Figures).  She couldn't

eat, grew weaker and, by Sunday, she slipped into a coma

and died.  (Ma almost did, too!)  Laz said he saw her on

Saturday and told her she was dying.  He said she lost so

much weight (of course, she wasn't eating, and they obviously

weren't feeding her intraveiniously) 

 

He said she told him to never give up and wouldn't agree

with him that she was going.  It sounds like the hospital

just "let her go".  Laz said they were giving her pain killers

(but no food) that's the drill, it seems, in hospitals.  Not good.

 

Laz said they met at the University of Rochester.  Wonder if

they're both from NY?  She was 61 (going on 62 in Oct) and

he's a year older.  She was Phi Beta Kappa at college and very

creative---could play the flute, taught herself Spanish in her 50's,

made pottery, sewed her wedding gown and his vest to match,

loved animals, always took ants or bees or flies out rather than

smack them, and had a variety of friends.  Very kind-hearted,

warm, gracious and tenacious woman.  That was Helen.

 

She will be deeply missed.

 

Luv,

Live Simply Poem

Come with me
And you will see,
A world of pure simplicity.

Where grass is green
And sky is blue,
All is right and all is true.

Sunrises set the tone
For waltzes, wishes,
And ice cream cones.

May I have this dance,
Or stroll by the garden gate?
Roses reveal it's never too late.

Here and now
It can be,
Where I love you and you love me.

Phyll

Blessing for the Animals

A Blessing for the Animals: In our hearts and minds, we bless the animals that hold a special place in our lives. As we care for them daily, they remind us of the joy we know in serving others. They offer us their examples of exuberant living and most importantly, they teach us the invaluable lesson of giving and receiving unconditional love. We include all the animals of the world in our blessing...

 

From the birds that sing to announce a bright, new day, to the bees that pollinate flowers and fruit trees, from the Aardvark to the Zebra - and all the stations inbetween. These creatures grace the Earth that we all share with their presence in unique and important ways. We give thanks for the countless benefits and joys they bring to the world.

Love Thy Neighbor

Each man takes care that his neighbor shall not cheat him. But a day comes when he begins to care that he does not cheat his neighbor. Then all goes well. He has changed his market-cart into a chariot of the sun.
 
Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1803-1882American Essayist, Poet and Philosopher

You'll Know When You Need to Know

You'll know when you need to know, Phyll, and not a moment earlier.

That's how it works when the answer you're looking for depends on other events that must first settle, new players that need to be gathered, and serendipities that are still being calculated.

Phyll, sometimes, not even I know, until I know.

But you will,
    The Universe

Extend Happiness

Shift Happens!

Daily Inspiration 07 August 2012

You are not here to find happiness;
you are here to extend it. You are
inspiration-packed, wisdom-infused,
made with love, and blessed with joy.
And so is everyone else.

About This Writer

It's the birthday of Conrad Aiken (books by this author), born in Savannah, Georgia (1889). His parents were wealthy New Englanders who had moved south for his father's medical practice. When he was 12, with no warning or explanation, his father became increasingly emotionally unstable and violent. He woke one morning to the sound of gunshots and discovered the bodies of his parents — his father had shot his mother before turning the gun on himself. Aiken went to live with an aunt in Massachusetts where he attended private New England schools before entering Harvard. He started writing a poem a day, always changing the form, paying little attention to the content. He met T.S. Eliot through the literary magazine and the two developed a lifelong friendship, bonding over literature, drinking, and Krazy Kat comics.

In 1952, Aiken published his autobiography Ushant, all about the trauma of his childhood, and his own attempt at suicide, his affairs, and many literary friendships. Towards the end of his life, he returned to his hometown Savannah to live until his death in 1973 at the age of 84.

Look Into My Eyes

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look
through each other's eyes for an instant?

~Henry David Thoreau.