Paul

Getting off the freeway on my way to the office this morning, the red light stopped me. Standing on the sidewalk is Molly, with a sign not unlike the photo above, but with her name signed at the bottom. I knew of her from her boyfriend, Paul, whom I met at the same corner about a year ago. I was stopped, opened my window and handed him a couple of bucks I had in my ash tray. We chatted and even gave him my baseball cap because it was drizzly. Then green light intruded on our light conversation and I drove off. From that little chat, I found out his name was Paul, and has a girlfriend who was sick at the time, Molly.

Back to this morning, I gave Molly a couple of bucks from my ash tray. Then I asked: "How is Paul?" She said "Excuse me?" She was stunned I knew Paul. She answered: "Paul died after last Christmas." Then green light. She gave me a beautiful goodbye smile and said 'thank you for remembering Paul.'

Tears came up as I drove to the office. And thought about the big stories about Michael Jackson life and death. For Paul? This story is the only one published in the blogosphere about a guy named Paul.

How about you? What story will they write or tell about you when you finally go? How would you prefer to be remembered: for what you've accomplished, for what you've accumulated, or for how you affected the quality of their days, maybe even their lives?

Do not be afraid when some become rich,

when the wealth of their houses increases.

For when they die they will carry nothing away;

their wealth will not go down after them.

Though in their lifetime they count themselves happy

—for you are praised when you do well for yourself—

they will go to the company of their ancestors,

who will never again see the light.

-Psalm 49 / nrsv

Another day...

"Another day..." That's what the stranger said to me as we exit the coffee shop this morning. Instead of filling in the blank with the predictable "another dollar", I said inwardly "...thank goodness."

Saying "thank goodness" for this day is an acknowledgement for the gift of another opportunity to act, think and speak from a place of love, peace, and happiness. It's another day to get better in letting go of worries and anxieties and fears that keep me from seeing the Divine in everyone. It's another day to die to this world of inordinate desires and consumption, of plugging and numbing my senses with instant pleasures that inevitably lead to pain and sorrow. It's definitely another day to be present, to pay attention, to accept and breathe in blue skies, green trees, red-yellow-white flowers, and children playing in the sun. It's another day to breathe out lovingkindness to all beings.

How about you? How do you greet the day? Can you smile in front of the mirror first thing in the morning and say "you lucky you"?

For a day in your courts is better

than a thousand elsewhere.

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than live in the tents of wickedness.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;

he bestows favour and honour.

No good thing does the Lord withhold

from those who walk uprightly.

O Lord of hosts,

happy is everyone who trusts in you.

-Psalm 84 (NRSV)

Rabbouni!

Rabbouni, it is Thee!

Yes, Mary. I Am.

Do not hold on to me

And stop your weeping.

Instead, tell my brothers and sisters

That I have risen as I promised.

That I triumphed against death and darkness.

That Love, the greatest of them all, endures all things.

Now instead of mourning, rejoice.

Instead of crying, give praise.

Instead of worrying, give thanks.

Always in all ways.

For I Am with you,

I never will leave you,

I always will be with you,

Here, now and forever.

Amen.

Peace. Peace. Peace.

He died that we may live.

What needs to die in us for us to live more fully?

He died for the forgiveness of our sins.

What needs to die in us to be merciful as God is merciful?

He died that we may have complete joy.

What needs to die in us to be happy?

He died to conquer darkness and evil.

What needs to die in us to conquer our fears?

He died because he loved us as the Father loved him.

What needs to die in us to love as he loved us?

He died to show us what true friendship is.

What needs to die in us to be friends with ourselves

and with one another?

He died that the Advocate of truth may come.

What needs to die in us to be advocates 

of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.

He died to bring us his Peace.

Peace be with all beings.

Amen.

What you do to the least of these...

But I am a worm, and not human; 

scorned by others, and despised by the people. 

All who see me mock at me; 

they make mouths at me, they shake their heads; 

‘Commit your cause to the Lord; 

let him deliver—let him rescue the one in whom he delights!’ 

Yet it was you who took me from the womb; 

you kept me safe on my mother’s breast. 

On you I was cast from my birth, 

and since my mother bore me you have been my God. 

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near

   and there is no one to help. 

Many bulls encircle me, 

strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 

they open wide their mouths at me, 

like a ravening and roaring lion. 

I am poured out like water, 

and all my bones are out of joint;

my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; 

my mouth is dried up like a potsherd, 

and my tongue sticks to my jaws;

   you lay me in the dust of death. 

For dogs are all around me; 

a company of evildoers encircles me.

My hands and feet have shrivelled; 

I can count all my bones.

They stare and gloat over me; 

they divide my clothes among themselves, 

and for my clothing they cast lots. 

But you, O Lord, do not be far away!

O my help, come quickly to my aid! 

Feet night

Maundy Thursday. At Lenten service, it was all about feet washing. (See MINDSIEVE for an excellent post about Maundy Thursday.) It was about Peter saying Uh-uh, no way, Lord, then changing his mind when Jesus said they won't be buds no more, Ok. Wash me all over.

What is it about feet? Last night at my yoga class, the feet topic was on my mind too. I invite you now to lie down and we'll do a feet awareness meditation.

Feel the breath move in and out of your lungs. Notice the belly move up and down with your breath. Do this a few times until you feel you are in your body and fully aware of the breath and the body position.

Now be aware of the soles of your feet. As if your nose was transplanted to the bottoms of your feet, breathe through your feet. Feel the soles relax and open. Then one by one, breathe through each of your toes. Relax each and every one of the numerous joints of your feet.

As you do this, begin thanking your feet. Imagine the proportion of your feet to your body. Those feet are small compared to the rest of your body, yet they carried you the whole day. As faithful as a servant, maybe without any complaints, they took you wherever you wished.

Slowly, come to a sitting position. Grab one of your foot, and gently massage the soles of your foot. Maybe with oil or foot lotion. Continue the dialogue with your feet. Continue thanking your feet.

Now for some reflection:  Was I on the path of peace and love most of the time today? Did I step on other people's toes today? How much carbon footprint did I leave today in the environment?

Through the bottomless mercy of our God,

one born on high will visit us

to give light to those who walk in darkness,

who live in the shadow of death;

to lead our feet in the path of peace.

Amen.

Gold stars, anyone?

Don't worry when you are not recognized, 

but strive to be worthy of recognition.

-Abe Lincoln

A friend shared with me that 'VERY few people in my life had truly recognized me.' And I echo that. We all like and want recognition. Some are more overt in collecting recognition, some keep it to themselves. But that's not our concern here. 

The question is: How often do I recognize others' accomplishments, contributions, good works, and other positive qualities? Because when we recognize others, we see their resemblance to ourselves. Because it takes one to know one. In a way, recognizing others serve us. Especially when we feel we are not being recognized. The Dalai Lama said: If you want to be happy, practice compassion. 

So if you want recognition, recognize others! 

But this week had been full of recognition for me. My books arrived from the publisher, and Amazon.com is finally delivering. A friend emailed me expressing her delight in receiving her copy! That's recognition! 

At my yoga classes, folks come to me to say "I've been taking yoga forever and had been with lots of yoga teachers. But you and your classes are special because of the seamlessness of the flow with the reflective words you say with the poses." Tonight, a teacher-in-training observed and said the same thing. That's recognition! 

Yes, I am on cloud 9 and I feel happy inside. But I know to be aware of the danger of recognition. I was brought down to earth by my divine office reading today from Hannah's prayer from 1 Samuel 2:

Do not pile boasting upon boasting:

Keep proud words far from your mouth,

For the Lord is the God of all knowledge,

And the judge of all actions.

Amen.