I've been thinking...

A copy of Auguste Rodin's The Thinker in front of the Kyoto National Museum in Kyoto, Japan

I've been thinking...ok everybody run for cover....

For days now I have been embroiled in several different family situations which are heavy on a mother and grandmother's heart. 

In addition, I watch the news and information floods into my already frazzled mind.  Finally I say, "whoa up" this is southern for stop, the end, enough already.  This magnolia person must dig her way out.  What we have here is a blizzard of family situation and world information.  Deep breathing, letting go, non attachment, live in the moment.  Only now exists.  All of these thoughts came to me. 

Bringing the raging mind under control can be daunting but not impossible.  Maintaining sanity for me involves a search for what works.  Not wanting to "cop out" on life and decide what I can contribute to change anything, I realized not for the first time mind you,  myself is the key change available.   Choices others have made and will make are beyond my control.  Several days ago I visited Ama's blog and found a short post addressing change.

(http://mydailybuddhism.blogspot.com/  February 7, 2007)

Also, when overwhelmed I search for beauty of word, and landscape of earth, and animal and sea.  My feeble mind and heart visit the mystic lands and rest in the wild evergreen forests of imagination.  Breathing deep the scent of evergreen, I recline on lichen covered boulders.  Bluebirds flit through branches, the crystal rush creek pops with fish, the fluff of amber owl  eyes observe all, thirsty deer drink chilly creek water, the brown bear and moose search for food.  Here I rest for a spell, beside a circle of burning wood and rising smoke.  Now I am able to return to the moment and change.

And there you have it.  Blessings to you all.

Beannacht

("Blessing")

On the day when

the weight deadens

on your shoulders

and you stumble,

may the clay dance

to balance you.

And when your eyes

freeze behind

the grey window

and the ghost of loss

gets in to you,

may a flock of colours,

indigo, red, green,

and azure blue

come to awaken in you

a meadow of delight.

When the canvas frays

in the currach of thought

and a stain of ocean

blackens beneath you,

may there come across the waters

a path of yellow moonlight

to bring you safely home.

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,

may the clarity of light be yours,

may the fluency of the ocean be yours,

may the protection of the ancestors be yours.

And so may a slow

wind work these words

of love around you,

an invisible cloak

to mind your life.

~ John O'Donohue ~