Living in the Visible, Awakening to the Invisible

Afternoon televised soap operas don't play a big part in my life, but, thanks to two friends (Alice in the US and Sujata in India), I have watched Bold and Beautiful and Young and Restless off and on, for the past six years.

Besides the strong story line about DECEIT (everyone is always lying to someone and worried the lie will be discovered) the major trademark of these daytime dramas is that if a character has a streak of good luck, you can be dang sure something horrible is waiting around the next corner!

Alice and Sujata and I would laugh about this formula: if Stephanie smoothed over her conflicts with Brooke and got close to her husband Eric again...she would soon face the death of granddaughter Phoebe and Eric's cheating with Donna. Yup, it is an absolute certainty on the soaps that if life is going along swimmingly, somebody is gonna drown.

So isn't this pattern of good/bad, easy/tough, simple/complicated, clarity/confusion called LIFE?

The only difference between the soap actors and us is that we have the freedom and power to interpret what happens in a different way.

When good things happen, we can ride that wave of pleasure.

When difficult times occur, we can seek the lessons of the moment and know that whether something gets labeled good or bad, it is Just Life, and Everything Changes.

India's wise, wise teacher, Astavakra, in his short treatise, Astavakra Gita, (sometimes called the Samhita) explains what he called the "Supreme Reality", which is that we must transcend what seems to be happening and enter the Stupendous State. This ancient sage taught that what we call life is a dream, and we must wake up to something far greater. I read my Astavakra Gita as often as my Bible; I love the lessons, and especially this one: "How can the pleasures and sorrows of the dream affect anymore the one who has awakened?"

In other words, our reaction or interpretation is what labels a moment "a good experience" or "a bad experience." It is really neither, once we move beyond our fascination with the limited concrete world.

I had to comfort myself with this truth when Alice died earlier this month, pretty close to her 100th birthday. She was unafraid, and had the mightiest love of Jesus I have ever witnessed. Alice knew there was more to life than meets the eye .

I reminded myself of this truth today, when I had to wash our enormous comforter because one of the dogs decided it was easier to pee in the bed then go out into the windy day. (How ironic! My comforter provided me such discomfort....a good soap opera story line, huh?)

And I reminded myself again when I found the dog had chewed open a doggy toy, and the fuzzy white stuffing had spread all over the comforter in the washing machine.

And I further reinforced this mindset when, throwing the heavy comforter on the outside clothes drying rack, the rack spun around and hit me in the mouth, cutting my lip and making me bleed.

I'M NOT KIDDING!

Fortunately, besides recalling Astavakra's wisdom, I know from watching Poor Stephanie on Bold and Beautiful that once three bad things happen, the good times will roll again. For awhile. Ha!

p.s. Last week, Sad Sharon, on Young and Restless, was really happy going on her honeymoon by private jet with her new husband Adam. They crashed yesterday (see photo above), but I missed the show today, cuz of the Comforter Case, and I had to go to the doctor, and blah blah blah....

'Tis Christmas on Belle Terre Road

For a northern girl (raised in Michigan, living in Vermont) walking the dogs on Christmas morning, in my pajamas, is hard to imagine!

Yet, this morning, that is just what happened. (I bought a super sized pair of PJs, as I love the baggy fit!) Here I am with Haskell and Cindy. Can you see our neighbor, Larry, the talented chef who is making a Christmas feast for us all?

I had fun preparing a pomagranate(as Lalitha taught me in India) and serving it mixed in yogurt, in a red bowl with red spoon! Christmas colors, Christmas treat.

Making some yeast rolls for our 2 p.m. meal at Larry's, and feeling grateful and nostalgic. Grateful for all we have, and nostalgic for Christmases past, and all the people who played loving roles at those celebrations. Christmas in Kalamazoo, Montpelier, Hyderabad, Bangalore and now, Florida. I send my loving, best wishes to all...may 2010 be your best year yet!

Saved By Sense of Humor

Christmas Week. Children wanting. Families stretched. Santa overtaxed or possibly absent.

As the Universe would create, yesterday my phone started ringing and ringing, incoming calls destined for the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), and somehow misrouted to our home.

"I need to get my food stamps," one mother said, her voice clearly stressed and scared. On the next call I heard a baby screaming in the background. "I got a message that my application was incomplete," the tired young mother said.

How did this mixup happen? The number clients were calling wasn't remotely like ours, not even the same area code.

My phone company suggested that a welfare worker had forwarded her office phone incorrectly, punching in my number. They said her number was unlisted, and they had no idea who she was or what could be done.

So, I decided to just answer the phone, explain the problem, and wish the callers well, reassuring them that things would work out.

This morning, when the calls started up again and came one after another, I decided to do some sleuthing. An online search produced a DCF administrative phone number, and after being transferred three times, I was connected to Joann in Information Technology (IT). She laughed with me at the absurdity of the situation, and kept thanking me for my NOT getting angry or irritated. "I know what it is like when clients get a hold of a number, they just keep calling," she said.

"Well, I decided that it must be my role this week to reassure the poor that things will work out," I replied. From my vantage point, the truly inconvenienced parties in this scenario were the clients without benefits and the worker not getting her work done. I had no role, so I chose one. I chose to see the whole event as funny, and to be a voice of peace and comfort.

What surprised me was how surprised and grateful the various government workers were about my mood. Is kindness so rare? Is a sense of humor only reserved for Comedy Central viewers?

When I study and read the wisdom of the Great Spiritual Leaders, I am always drawn to artists who reference the Laughing Jesus and the Laughing Buddha. At first, I found these images strange: I never had seen these faces smiling broadly. But the more I have learned, the more I am convinced that beyond their tender hearts, Jesus and Buddha succeeded as messengers of peace because they knew how to laugh.

Sometimes, expressing laughter over anger must be a conscious choice. We each have the power to pass along laughter, rather than rage. I am grateful I was alert enough to see a weird call-forwarding snafu as such an opportunity. I've been saying I wished I could do something this week for the poor. My wish was fulfilled, wasn't it?!

Tonight's Moon

Have you seen the moon tonight?

We all are looking forward to tomorrow, the actual first day of winter, known as the Winter Solstice. And for most families, even more energy is being spent on Christmas, next Friday.

But tonight, with no warning, I had my breath taken away looking up. What a beautiful, beautiful moon. A very new moon, a rain catcher. Sitting in the navy blue sky.

This Sunday night moon teaches a good lesson. We can easily look forward to a special moment, a certain day, a specific event....and get totally wrapped up in the preparation and anticipation over the coming excitement. Yet, with so much attention focused on later, on next, on the future....what happens to NOW?

No, tonight isn't the Solstice, nor Christmas Eve. It is just an awesome night sky, and the moon is the star. Step outside and take a peek.

Loving Life on Honeymoon Island

Today, the four of us had our first big outing since coming to Florida almost a month ago!

We enjoyed a hazy afternoon on Honeymoon Island in the Gulf of Mexico, a state park with a dog beach.

Don't Haskell and Cindygirl look great in their Christmas collars?

I loved the message on the beach bench: TODAY IS A GIFT: 'THE PRESENT'.

We felt so blessed to enjoy the sun, the sea, the air. Thurmond found a real sponge, and I collected a few gorgeous shells. Feeling sand between our toes was a great treat, especially in December.

Your Virtual Christmas Gift

Dear Friends:

I'm not one to envy, but if I had Oprah's money, it would sure be fun to Christmas shop!

For fashion loving Karen, I would buy a life size mannequin, to dress up, curl her hair, and put on fancy makeup.
Jim knows he would get a few rare gold coins to add to his collection, and Wayne would ride in a private plane to view some of the construction jobs he once worked on.

I think I would make sure Marion had some time backstage at Bold and Beautiful and Young and Restless. Wouldn't that be cool? (Sujata, I would send you on this trip, too.)
Ole Everett just needs a reality TV producer to show up and begin filming his 24 hour show. What a blast it would be to watch that program!

I bet Janet would appreciate a nonstop flight from the Glover parking lot to her Connecticut family's driveway, with several trips made daily.

Bev would be happy with a shorter shuttle....curb to curb from the front door to Hoagie's (and maybe Foxwoods??) that runs on the hour. And a purse full of cash for the trip.

Sadie might enjoy another special dinner dance, in a gorgeous dress and hairdo. And Roberta, a trip to the pet shop, with lots of time to cuddle all the critters. (I wonder how many and what she'll bring home?)

Carolyn, and probably Ruth, would like to live in their own homes again.
Calvin might enjoy a tour of fine restaurants, traveling by limousine.

Looking at the beaches here, I am guessing Shirley would like to feel invigorated by spending another winter in Florida.

Frances, do you think a trip to a bookstore with plenty of money to buy some pretty books would be fun?

Roy might like as afternoon at a truck dealership, and a chance for a nice test drive.

A shopping spree in a handbag store would be my gift to Marjorie. And I think a special private craft class would delight Audrey. For Marian the Native American, a long walk in the woods and a chance to see a lot of deer would be my gift. And maybe sleeping out under the stars.

Miss Ethel, perhaps a trip back in time, with all 10 of your children sitting around the breakfast table?

Roger might like a Big Game Hunt. And Bobby and Jordan, wouldn't you also like an adventure? For John, a fine game of golf on a beautiful course would be perfect.

Who wouldn't be thrilled to be restored to health and youthful energy? Ed, Bob, Rena and Ken, for sure. For Jason, I would buy a miracle.

For Bernadette, Alvira, Gloria and the rest of the crowd, I would love to grant your heart's desire.

Reading my shopping list, it is probably easy to understand why I envy Oprah her bank account. But since her accounts will never be mine, fulfilling this shopping list has to be virtual, in my heart only.

For those receiving just virtual gifts from me, I want you to know one important fact: my shopping list was born out of my love for you. So, while you won't receive any customized gift, you can be certain my love has already been sent.