The breeze at dawn...

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.

Don't go back to sleep.

You must ask for what you really want.

Don't go back to sleep.

People are going back and forth across the doorsill

where the two worlds touch.

The door is wide and open.

Don't go back to sleep.

~Rumi

The Optimist Creed

A creed worth committing to memory and repeating often...

The Optimist Creed

Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.  Think only of the best, work only for the best and expect only the best.  Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. Live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you!

~Christian D. Larson

The Story of the Two Wolves

The Story of the Two Wolves has many versions. 

This particular one comes from Pema Chodron's book Taking the Leap

A Native American grandfather was speaking to his grandson about violence and cruelty in the world and how it comes about. He said it were as if two wolves were fighting in his heart. One wolf was vengeful and angry, and the other wolf was understanding and kind. The young man asked his grandfather which wolf would win the fight in his heart. And the grandfather answered, "The one that wins will be the one I choose to feed."

The wolves fighting for attention in our hearts may be different than the grandfather's. They may be  self-doubt vs confidence, worry vs faith, fear vs love, lack vs abundance, negativity vs enthusiasm, etc. Whatever they are it is nice to know that it is always our choice which one we feed.  Just like negativity and complaining can grow and spread like wildfire from one person to the next, so too can optimism, enthusiasm, a simple smile.  As we continue to turn away from the wolf that causes pain and suffering, it begins to wither from neglect. And as we continually, consistently make the choice to turn toward the kind, loving, confident wolf so will it become stronger. Which wolf are you feeding?

Beginning Again

Do we ever really know the moment when we begin again; when a chapter ends and a new one begins? Is it like the turn of a page, so crisp, so distinct? Or does it blend and blur a bit like the changing of seasons? When I was finally listed for a double lung transplant, having gone through a rigorous testing program, I thought this is it. I am stepping onto the bridge, crossing over into life post-transplant. Two years and 8 months later (but who's counting?) I find myself still standing on the bridge. What happened to my new beginning? Why hasn't it shown up yet? Did it come and I missed it distracted by some silly thing leaving me stranded on the bridge? Or was that not really the cue to a new chapter? A false start that faked us all out. We've been prepped and ready for some time now, mostly skimming through what we thought were the last few dreary pages. But oh how this chapter drones on! Seems maybe what I missed was the point.

So what is the point then? Perhaps it has less to do with dramatic entrances and exits into stages of our lives and more with how we approach each day or moment of our life. Each new breath being a chance to begin again. To stand at the edge of now and say from this moment on... Forgiving all our mistakes and heartbreaks and pressing onward. Starting fresh in each moment to enjoy our lives as we live them. Not in retrospect or prospect but right here, right now.  That is the point I decided to get out of this anyway.

And so it is with that sense of beginning anew that I begin this blog, a Daily Hi. My intention is to post daily, something refreshing, inspiring, funny or hopeful. Sometimes my own words, sometimes borrowed from a teacher I admire. Just a little something each day to help me stay focused on what really matters and perhaps uplift someone along the way. Let's see how this goes...