Posted on

it is what it is

A few days ago as I was walking along a street, I could see two men in work-clothes standing on the sidewalk facing the side of a parked red truck. As I continued walking in their direction, I noticed their eyes never left the truck. They looked lost in thought when viewed from a block away, not in an unusual way, but rather like a Norman Rockwell scene. As I reached the truck, I saw they were focused on a painting that was leaning against the truck. No one else was around, perhaps they’d just bought the painting, or been given the painting. From the way they were looking at it, obviously trying to make some sense of it, it was hard to guess how it got into their possession. As I passed them, I heard one of the men say of the painting, “It is what it is.” The other man had no response. I glanced at the painting in passing. Had I lingered along with them, I would have been in their same puzzled state, staring and saying, “Yes, it is what it is.” And that was a good description of what it was. People used to say “interesting” for want of a better word, but “It is what it is” does nicely, too.

I’ve been hearing that phrase a lot lately, that, or “It is as it is.” There’s a feeling of acceptance when you hear the words, and they’re often said with a kind of gentleness, too. Whatever it is about those words, they seem to work for all occasions.

Posted on

life

Many people are living with a lot of pain in their bodies, minds and emotions. The main reason is that there’s no let up to the disturbing things seen, observed, witnessed  daily. We all know the list that causes pain and suffering and leaves us feeling helpless and hopeless. If we would look pass our complicated world though, we would feel differently, and would arrive at a place that allows us to grasp the deeper meaning of Life.

There’s no denying it; our world is in somewhat of a mess right now. But, if we could realize that there’s so much more to us than what we’ve been taught, if we could get pass the surface – the things we read in the newspapers, or watch on the news, or witness in our own lives, the opinions bobbing around – things of that ilk, something grand will then open up for us.

When we believe that what we see, read, and hear about is the sum total of our lives then life becomes a drag; I don”t want to live in that kind of a world. Thankfully, that’s not the case.

The material world is a place for experiences, many of which can help us have a better understanding of Life. When we open our eyes and really look at the Creator’s creations – the abundance and beauty, the oceans, rivers, lakes, mountains, valleys, forests, flowers, healing plants, the joy the sun brings during the day, the look of the stars on a dark night, a newborn – how can we possibly not want to awaken to the other parts of Life .

******* ******* ******* ******* ******* ******* *******

“Everything in the world comes from the mind, like objects appearing from the sleeve of a magician.” -Buddha, Lankavatara Sutra

“We have no reason to mistrust our world, for it is not against us. Has it terrors, they are our terrors; has it abysses, those abysses belong to us, are dangers at hand, we must try to love them. . . . How should we be able to forget those ancient myths about dragons that at the last moment turn into princesses; perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave.” -Rainer Maria Rilke , “Letters to a Young Poet”

Posted on

there’s simple and there’s complicated

Some people have such complicated and taxing personal lives, and others have such simple and lovely lives. The mind of some can’t fathom simplicity. When they conjure up the word, simple, it tends to mean something unpleasant to them. I think they feel with simple they’ll wallow in having nothing, being nothing, and doing nothing. I suppose if that’s what the thought process is, that is what could happen. You know, “As Within, So Without. ”

Simple is easier to define than complicated, after all it’s about simple. Simple allows for lots of other things to happen in one’s life, whereas complicated keeps gathering momentum until it strangles. This is a very simple example of complicated: There are people who, when they pick up their mail, save everything -every scrap of paper-lest “something important” slips past them. These people have a big pile of mail collecting that, they say-with a sigh- “I’ll get to soon.” I know this because I’ve seen it in action. Now that pile of mail becomes burdensome for them to look at. It’s another job for the future that weighs on the mind. This is how complicated could be simple; there are people who pick up their mail, shuffle through it because it’s a habit they’ve acquired, and in a few minutes, know what stays and what goes-no pile, unless it’s to be taken care of within a short span of time. Yes!

Another example of complicated: for some the December holidays begin in October, sometimes even September. They say, “After all, there’s so much to do, it’s important to begin early.” Three months plus of planning! They then become high strung due to the demands they place on themselves, and things get complicated. December holidays can be, should be, wonderful. However, when there’s a fanatic frantically planning months ahead, how can they be. Nah! There are so many fantastic things to do in our world to allow life to get that way.

People must want simple because there are lots more magazine articles and books written about it. Simple is an agreement with oneself that the old way goes, and another, less stressful way, is ushered in. It really is that simple.

Posted on

a path

Do you find it fascinating the way a chance meeting can affect your day? This is one of those days.

I was walking along Main Street in a small town along the Hudson River, when I met a stranger I’d seen every so often in that town. She stopped, smiled, and began talking to me – one topic after another in a dizzying array of words. Finally I interrupted her to ask a question about a path I was on my way to explore, one I’d heard about from a local who had said that “it’s absolutely beautiful,” and that she’s been walking it since “forever.”  And now I wanted to walk that path.

The path I was looking for was along the Hudson River, and supposedy the place to start exploring it was near the train station. However, my new stranger said, “No, I wouldn’t go there. You’ve got to be really careful. Ticks are all over the place.” Well, I’m a city person, and not an expert on ticks. So, I said, “Other people walk it.” As I said that, I realized it wasn’t a good enough reason in favor of the path. And her response was, “No, “I wouldn’t. I have friends who have lyme disease.” And again she said, “There are ticks all over the place. Soon after that, we said goodbye. I decided to walk back into town.

In town I visited a small antique shop where a few weeks before I had bought two lamps. I was there only a few minutes when the owner started talking about not feeling well, that she’d gotten lyme disease 13 years ago, and it had been under control with antibiotics, “and now it’s showing its mean way again,” and she was worried. I didn’t know what to say, but it seemed tick talk was in the air.

I left the antique shop, and along the way looked in at a charming place where I’d once bought a happy Buddha, and wanted another one. As I entered I saw that the saleswoman was very busy on the phone. After a while I was beginning to think that somewhere along the line I’d become invisible. Every time I approached her, she paid no attention. Finally, she put the phone down and started talking. She said she thought she’d gotten a tick from her dog, and was finally able to get a doctor’s appointment. I didn’t say much. So distraught was she that she would have left me in the store as she hurried by. Out I go, and as I crossed a driveway, the anxious one came barreling out of a parking lot, and almost clipped me. I saw the expression on her face, and hoped she’d make it to the doctor’s in one piece.

I didn’t want to hear any more about ticks. I went to the library and got a book by P.D. James, then a coffee, and sat in the back in a lovely garden, and read.

That night I couldn’t get to sleep. I felt a slight pain running up my leg. Then I began thinking about ticks. And I thought . . . Oh no,  lyme disease? I had to have a talk with myself to put an end to that thought and to remember that. . . .

“Anxiety is the mark of spiritual insecurity.” – Thomas Merton

“Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” – Madame Curie

The next time I was in the area, I walked into that charming shop and asked the owner how she was. “Fine.” she said. “No tick.” She was happy, so very happy.

 

Posted on

david wolfe and the raw food way of life

Once a month I get David Wolfe’s e-letters; they’re a reminder of the raw food way of life. The e-letters inspire because David Wolfe is the epitome of health and vitality in body, mind and spirit, and is dedicated to communicating to anyone who will listen the benefits of a raw food way of life. Don’t be alarmed, taste is very important.

The benefits derived from following this way of eating can’t be denied. Although there are those who deny it, but I wonder whether those who do have ever tried it. Every month when I read the e-letters, I think about what it would take to once again be a raw foodist. For one thing, it helps enormously to live in an area where foods for an uncooked lifestyle are readily available. David Wolfe said in his book, THE SUNFOOD DIET SUCCESS SYSTEM, that you “should move” if the raw food way of life is not possible where you live. That’s his level of belief.

From experience I know that the benefits far exceed anything you can ever imagine for yourself.  It’s good to remember though that the raw food way of life requires the right information.

Ah, yes, since I’m not completely living the uncooked life, I realize that to be on and off sounds a bit suspicious on my part, but having been on has resulted in being able (most of the time) to shun foods that cause havoc to the body and mind. And when the time is again right, slipping back into the raw food life will be easier. To have experienced it for a year gave me an understanding of what it’s about, and next time could be the right time. It requires dedication, and if you can handle that amount of dedication, it repays again and again. In the meantime, it’s something to thing about.

I remember when David Wolfe spoke at Caravan of Dreams. At that time, there was not much happening in Manhattan in the raw food movement. Since then things have changed big time. I think his passion, determination, and energy contributed greatly to the movement.

“It ain’t over til it’s over.” -Yogi Berra

Posted on

pistacchio and butter pecan

My daughter Emi was thinking about ice cream as we walked along the streets of Manhattan. When passing one food place after another, talking about food is a given. She said that her favorite flavors – pistacchio and butter pecan – stem from her grandma’s influence during the good old summers spent in New Hampshire. The roads were strewed with ice cream stands and, of course, we would stop. Grandma loved ice cream and she would always order either p or bp. There was never a variation in this area of her life.

As Emi got older her ice cream tastes stayed the same, and when she went out with her friends, she’d want either p or bp. This usually caused a discussion among those she was with as they thought it was an odd choice for her, and would tell her that p & bp are what old people order. Emi didn’t care. And even though they had agreed that p & bp are for old people, Emi’s friends wanted a taste of whichever one she ordered. No one said they didn’t like those two flavors, and I bet the next time they found themselves standing in front of the display case with all those flavors, they ordered either p or bp. And I’ll bet also the idea that p & bp is for old people went the way of the wind.

No one ever told me that p & bp are for old people, so I always went along my merry way enjoying those two flavors. Yes, grandma’s influence was great in the ice cream department. P & bp have been around for a long time. But I know of only a smattering of people who sometimes order p, and never bp – though once they try it, they like it. Summer is right around the corner. It’s never too late to try grandma’s favorite flavors.

Here’s to grandma.

Posted on

stuart wilde

Stuart Wilde tends to think about life a bit differently. And that’s an understatement. He’s a man who lives a rather unconventional life while enjoying the largeness of the world, and appears comfortable and confident in it. Many years ago I saw his book, AFFIRMATIONS, read it, and highlighted it. He’s very witty, and writes the way he sees Life. Through the years I’ve managed to keep up with his philosophy by reading his other books and listening to his cd’s. As he learned; his readers learned, too. He doesn’t do anything half-way, so there’s a trust in what he has to say; he’s a breath-of-fresh-air, honest, and oftentimes puts himself on the line. When he’s learned something different, and it works, it’s incorporated into his lifestyle, and taught to people who want to know, too. At the same time, he writes beautifully about our world and our place in it.

I’ve been trying to get to one of his seminars, however, the timing is always off. Strange how those things happen, but there’s always a reason. I think there will be a right time. If you want to have fun, if you want to open yourself to a different way of seeing and understanding our world, his website can do that for you. It’s, well – let’s just say – it’s him. Want to shake up your world, go for it; if you don’t, perhaps another time. There are numerous ways to come to an understanding of our world. Numerous ways of expressing in it, and I suspect they all lead to the same place. We have an impressive choice. www.stuartwilde.com

“Life was never meant to be a struggle just a gentle progression from one point to another, much like walking through a valley on a sunny day.” -Stuart Wilde

Posted on

computers

What word best describes someone whose joy in life is to spread a computer virus? Will they always exist – those people and viruses? I want to meet the person behind one; the person whose mind thinks that way. I want to ask, why cause damage when you could be contributing? I wonder what the thought process is. You’d think that with a brain as sharp as theirs, they could find more clever ways of spending time. Ah, but you say, what they do is rather clever. Yes, but, I say, what kind of cleverness is this? Something’s not computing right. It can’t just be about money. These people can make mucho moola if they’d get off their fanny, and look around. Perhaps they’re not smart enough to join forces with the world and do something exceptional with their knowledge.

If my life depended on my being able to create a virus, say if I got caught up in a sinister plot of sorts, it would be bye bye world for me. I can’t even get my laptop back to its original state when it needs help. This is how the conversation goes between me and the person I’ve appealed to for help: he says, “Stop saying you don’t understand.” And I respond, this irks him a bit, “But why? I don’t understand.” So, then he says, “Think of a computer as being human, not a machine, something made by a human.” Nah! That doesn’t work either. For me, trying to repair a computer has the same feeling as a puzzle with 1000 pieces, and all the pieces are the exact color.

I know that to be able to take charge of something, you have to understand it. It’s like a game; but I’m not fond of this game. I guess though that when you play the game, it’s important to understand it. I’m sure that in a hundred years from now it’ll be entirely different. However, since this is the early stages of personal computers, the game has just begun.

Oh, what a thought.

Posted on

death

I think death is a part of life. That’s obvious you want to say. But what I want to say is that it’s actually a good part of life. I want to slide into this conversation easily – without raising an eyebrow. Somewhere along the line our ability to sense what it is and what it means got mangled – badly. When we take the time to be alone and think clearly about this, we’re slowly able to put back that lost sense. We’re supposed to die; it’s natural just as eating is natural, Only death has a greater impact on us, or so it seems. To me something that’s natural is nothing to get anxious about. If you’ve had the opportunity to be at someone’s side when they died, perhaps you had a chance to notice how easy and peaceful death can be. Not always, of course, some people struggle with it to the end. But it seems useless to fight something that’s a natural part of us. It’s just like everything else in life, when we take the time to understand exactly what it means, the feelings we have are replaced with an understanding, and eventually a knowing. And when it’s our time for that experience, we accept it, and with acceptance, there’s something else that comes – a trust and a belief in Life. Every day people die with a smile on their lips. How neat is that.

Grieving is hard. It’s natural, too. We lose someone we love and will never see again in that same form. It’s painful. I’ve read often that when we refuse to accept the death of someone we love, it’s possible we’re keeping the one who died in a state of confusion, bound to the earth plane. There’s a need to go on, and we have to let it happen. It’s been said that time is a great healer. And probably we all know this to be true. When we look back at the things we thought we’d never get through and here we are, smiling again. Time is a great healer, and we have to let it work its magic on us so that we can once again see clearly.

Posted on

working

We’ve all been helped by people who work at jobs they wouldn’t have chosen given another opportunity. These people I’m thinking about toil easily, efficiently, calmly, and often with a little smile at the corners of their mouth. It almost looks as if they have a secret lingering in their memory. I’d say it’s the secret of being happy. You never know where or when this kind of person will be there for you. It could be in a restaurant, post office, retail shop, hair salon, behind a counter, airport, at a construction site, driving a bus, a taxi. etc. One thing they have in common is that they do their work in an extraordinary way.

Do you remember the 80’s – the decade of the big attitude? That was an interesting time in that many aspects of the service business appeared to fall apart. Maybe we got through that period because of the people who didn’t buy into that way; they treated everyone with kindness, and simply did their job, usually with a smile.

One of those jobs that can be immensely trying is driving a taxi. When you get into one do you notice the driver? All day long he weaves in and out of heavy traffic, sometimes dealing with argumentative, anxious, crabby, sick, demanding passengers, picking up all kinds of people who barely notice him, not even with a simple hello from one human being to another. However that may be, these drivers oftentimes turn their heads, offer a smile, and once again face the traffic. Special. In the years that I’ve been taking NYC cabs, I’ve seen many drivers from many countries around the world sitting at the wheel of one. If you and the driver are in a chatting mood, often you’ll discover that the driver is well-educated and informative, and you leave the cab with a little more understanding of the country he’s from, and what it takes to live in another one.

Where in the world do they come from? How did they get that way? There are many stories. They come from different countries, and have an ability, a knowing, that enables them to do work they wouldn’t necessarily have chosen in an extraordinary way.

Here’s to those people.