Category: Reflections On Sunrise

On a long journey of human life, faith is the best of companions; it is the best refreshment on the journey; and it is the greatest property.
~ Buddha

Our weathermen say we are in for a spectacular weekend. A big plume of saraha dust is making it’s way across the Atlantic, leaving us with dry and hazy conditions. I think it was the dust in the air that allowed for that gorgeous sunset last evening! Very rarely does the setting sun’s rays project that far to the east from my vantage point! read more

“Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”
~ Buddha

So I awoke angry this morning, from a bit of an altercation I ran into yesterday … An infrequent, yet quite human emotion and experience. And I had to chuckle … The sun looks like a fire burning beneath the morning rain clouds. And that’s exactly how anger feels … Like holding onto a hot burning sun.

There are still a few things that are bound to push my buttons. I’ve come to be mindful of them: Being called or considered “those people” always gets my ire up. Having my help or advice asked for, then specifically having that help “corrected”. Being interrupted while I’m in thought. People infringing on my space or property without any consideration. Not feeling heard (I’ve written about this one before). And then who doesn’t get mad when we are outright insulted, even if the insult rings true. And being told not to be angry – something I was often told as a child – this will almost always make me angrier! I am grateful to my practice, as through breath, and this writing, I will be able to release it. read more

“Look within. Thou art the Buddha.”
~ Buddha

For some reason, I was fascinated with the clouds over Hans Lollick this morning. Maybe it’s because the one cloud looks so much like an elephant to me. Funny that my pipe dream is to create an elephant sanctuary on Hans Lollick, should I ever win the lottery. Hey, maybe it’s a sign that I should go pick up a ticket today LOL !! But besides the elephant, do you see the little man in prayer?

So yesterday, I had a friend graciously write me, to thank me for spreading positivity. (You are very welcome!) They also wrote that they were kicking themselves for not having taken more classes or engaged in more self learning … read more

“There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a person being themselves. Imagine going through your day being unapologetically you.”
~ Steve Maraboli

I loved how this big red glowing sun snuck out between the clouds this morning. I was certain it wouldn’t shine until it made it’s way above the thundering rain clouds. But nope, it surprised me! It always make me smile, at how easily the eye (and the mind) can be fooled …

So yesterday, I had a very enjoyable and thought provoking conversation with a friend. We were talking about being our authentic selves. As I replayed our thoughts, my meditation moved to that of Mudita … “Cultivating appreciative joy at the success and good fortune of others.”  I’ve written at length about Mudita as one of the Buddha’s 4 heavenly abodes in a previous post.  It seems the world has so little mudita these days …. read more

”Follow your instincts. That’s where true wisdom manifests itself.”
~ Oprah Winfrey

What a beautiful morning here today. Tropical Storm Dorian is passing just to our North, sending us a cleansing line of showers late yesterday afternoon. The air feels so fresh, with a light lofty breeze. And look at those still waters in the photo … It’s like a lake out there! A perfect day for my villa guests, who are going scuba diving this morning 🙂

So yesterday, I had one of those experiences that gives you goose bumps. I was in the midst of cleaning, when I had a very strong sense that a friend needed me to contact them. I came over to my computer to see if she was on Facebook. Turns out, she had been listening to a song for the past half hour, and thinking very intently on me. She posted the song – for me – right as I logged in here. She had been more or less meditating for the past hour, love flowing. Wow!! Did I feel that or what !!! read more

“You can’t cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.”
~ Rabindranath Tagore

This morning I woke up thinking about choice. From the moment that I am conscious, it feels that almost every second I am confronted with it. From the moment I decide to get out of bed (or not) …. What prompts me to rise each morning really?

Last year, I happened to read “The Big Book”, looking to understand the addiction of an acquaintance. To an outsider, drinking may seem like a choice. Either you do, or you don’t. Even for myself, having a glass (or two or three) of wine after work, has been a lifelong “choice”. I’ve spent much of this week watching that choice, as I decided to take a break from that habit. Sure enough, at 4:00ish, there is a steady pull, and a struggle that my mind goes through. As long as I feed my mind something – and this week it’s been a club soda or a fruit flavored aqua fresco – mind forgets about the cocktail. It’s been a great practice in mindfulness, because I’m seeing clearly that 90 seconds is about the amount of time that it takes for that “thought bubble” as I like to call it (along with all the associated emotions) to arise and fall. read more