All stars in the same galaxy, there are no team uniforms

The last televised images I glimpsed in the US, before boarding a plane for India earlier this month, were of the World Series, final game 5.
San Francisco Giants and their fans were predictably over the moon…if they could have jumped that high, they surely would have. Unabashed joy, absolute bliss….their happiness was physical, emotional, spiritual…all consuming.

But, wait. In the same stadium, photographed by the same cameras at the same game, there were some incredibly sorrowful faces…downright despondent, dejected, disheartened, depressed…grieving the fact that the Texas Rangers had lost.

These two extremes of Up an Down were so dramatic; it was almost like a cartoon, a mocumentary explaining the two very different emotions of Joy and Sadness.

Observing the whole chaotic event live, I experienced a wave of sadness….for the Rangers and their fans. BUT NOT BECAUSE THEY LOST. I was sad BECAUSE THEY COULDN’T FEEL ANY JOY FOR THE WINNERS.

Chittister: One of a kind at Call to Action gathering | National Catholic Reporter

Chittister: One of a kind at Call to Action gathering National Catholic Reporter

Turning to the Left or the Right?

We've been hearing about the cyclone on the East coast of India. Our rains in Bangalore the past week have been blamed on this cyclone. I began to wonder: what is a cyclone? Isn't it what we call a hurricane in Florida?

It turns out, cyclones, hurricanes and typhoons are all essentially the same thing, they simply receive different names depending on where they occur....and strangely, WHAT DIRECTION THEY TURN. Would you have ever guessed that? I didn't! Here is what I found on Answers.com.

-- Hurricane: a violent wind which has a circular movement, especially found in the West Atlantic Ocean. A hurricane is actually a violent storm formed with water which causes heavy rains and fierce winds and they can cause flooding of streets and homes.

-- Cyclone: a violent tropical storm or wind in which the air moves very fast in a circular direction. They can be formed over tropical waters, bar the Southeast Pacific and the South Atlantic Oceans. Technically, all hurricanes are cyclones but not all cyclones are hurricanes: if their wind speed is over 74 miles per hour, they're hurricanes, if not, they're just cyclones or tropical storms.

-- Typhoon: a violent wind which has a circular movement, found in the West Pacific Ocean.

Pressure systems that develop over tropical waters, with tropical-related characteristics are tropical cyclones, which include tropical storms, hurricanes, typhoons (western Pacific), are called tropical cyclones.

Systems that tend to develop in the multitudes with a jet stream, cold core, etc. are referred to as extra-tropical cyclones. These systems usually produce severe weather in the spring and fall, and severe winter weather in the winter.

Here's what I think is the cutest part:
Hurricane - turns right (clockwise) and Cyclone - turns left (counter clockwise)!

Entire Society is Everyone's Concern

I just read a wonderful speech given by the Dalai Lama, exiled leader of Tibet and head of the world Buddhist community. Without his permission, I've written a paragraph after each of his, offering challenges to my friends and colleagues at the Union House Nursing Home, in Glover, Vermont. I welcome you to apply these words and questions to whatever community you associate with...be it home, work place, family. The Dalai Lama's words are first, in red, followed by mine.

“Everyone in our world is interrelated and interdependent. My own personal peace and happiness are my concern. I’m responsible for that. But the happiness and peace of the entire society is everyone’s concern. Each of us has the individual responsibility to do what we’re capable of to improve our world.”

Choosing to live or work at Union House Nursing Home, we automatically enter an unspoken agreement with each other. We join a close community under one roof. We share space, breath and time. How we conduct ourselves, from complaining to complimenting…and every behavior in between…effects everyone else. What an awesome responsibility…we actually can create joy or sadness or happiness or hopelessness.

"In our century, compassion is a necessity, not a luxury. Humans are social animals and we must live together, whether we like it or not. If we lack kind hearts and compassion for each other, our very existence is threatened. Even if we’re going to be selfish, we should be wisely selfish and understand that our personal survival and happiness depends on others. Therefore, kindness and compassion towards them are essential."

One simple act, such as thanking someone for help or for listening, can shine as the mightiest moment in the day. Taking a moment to look into someone’s eyes and share their story can bring a sense of well being no drug can deliver. Do any of us realize the power of our own voices, our own lives?

"Bees and ants have no religion, no education or philosophy, yet they instinctively cooperate with each other. In doing so, they insure the survival of their society and the happiness of each individual in it. Surely, we humans, who are more intelligent and sophisticated, can do the same!"

Imagining UHNH is a big bee hive or ant hill, how are you contributing to our little society’s success? Are you carrying your load? Are you focused on your task, respecting boundaries and limitations? Are you keeping secrets or breaking trusts?

"Thus, we each have the individual responsibility to help others in whatever way we can. However, we shouldn’t expect to change the world instantly. As long as we’re not enlightened, our actions to benefit others will be limited. Without inner peace it is impossible to have world peace. Therefore, we must improve ourselves and at the same time do what we can to help others."

Quality of life is created by common agreement and effort. At UHNH, if we decide that high standards of cleanliness, nutrition, attentiveness, accuracy and kindness are worth upholding…we create a bit of heaven on earth. Think of how you use your energy: are you wasting precious breath on meaningless chatter and gossip? Do you make things harder for yourself and others, by always taking the easy path, just to get by? Are you making peace or war? Why cheat yourself from being GREAT?

Resting Assured

A day in India isn't complete without spending some time in the garden. For several winters, I've wished for a comfortable chaise for reading outside. Sprawling on a yoga mat doesn't work, the ants number in the thousands. This morning, Sujata suddenly recalled that neighbor Geetha had a cane chair she wasn't using. Hooray! Voila! Thank you!

Rest assured, I am resting assured, at least one hour a day under the chikoo or sapodilla fruit tree. And to add security to my comfort, my four legged buddy, Simba, stands guard wherever I go. As I write, he is curled at my feet...the head of security, resting here at Taralaya in Whitefield, outside of Bangalore.

Election Results...time to make peace

P.S. While there are many disappointments the morning after our mid-term elections, I have great hope and belief in the arts of compromise and cooperation. What the world (including the US Congress) needs now, is peace, sweet peace.

And if I can help any individuals or groups find common ground, I offer my services. Oh, I forget to mention....Glover town clerk Donna Sweeney sent me an email this morning: I was reelected as a Justice of the Peace! (This picture of JPs is based on a painting by Salzedo, published in L'Illustration in 1890.)

May peace prevail on earth,

and let it begin in your life, today.

Back in Beloved Mother India!

My journey from Vermont (by car) to Florida, Florida to NY (by plane), NY to Connecticut (by bus and train) and back again....then jet from NY to India....successfully ended this morning.

I'm writing from my bed in Bangalore. All is well, even my luggage arrived.

Sujata had a flat tire driving to get me at the airport, so we took a cab back home.

A few pictures from Heathrow Airport in London...the Brits don't mess around with tiny printed warnings on their cigarette packages! Looks like they cost about the same as in the US, a carton for $50+.

And look who couldn't get the vending machine to work...no kidding, James Bond, 007, himself, Pierce Brosnan. I'm not kidding. You'll have to trust me with this poor photo...but I didn't feel like bugging the guy.

India is lush and green...I'll post some photos after a good nap. I am grateful!