tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21001963.post1544421935625448526..comments2023-10-26T20:05:14.669+07:00Comments on intrepid flame: Letters Home From Home Part IIJabizhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15060918134697370964noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21001963.post-10726833186847860342007-08-27T01:13:00.000+07:002007-08-27T01:13:00.000+07:00This post and the previous one on Zen mindfulness ...This post and the previous one on Zen mindfulness reminded me of how I have been trying to approach life. I was read a quote from Jan Arden's book a couple of years ago in which, to paraphrase, she writes that many of us go through life waiting for someone to tap us on the shoulder and say, "you're happy now", instead of being happy in the moment, whatever that moment is. I think that doesn't mean being a pollyanna and denying one's feelings, but to appreciate what there is to be appreciated in whatever situation. I have had many moments over the past four years of feeling frustrated for not having what I would like, and so her words were a wake up call. And as you mention, being able to accept what cannot be controlled. For me that has meant finding the beautiful moments on an hour long commute - a flock of birds spiralling skyward, a brilliant pink-orange sunrise cresting a hill-; or witnessing the slow progress of spring - leaf buds encased in ice in March. Since taking up yoga in January, I have become better at focusing my mind during practice, at just breathing and being during shivasana, and that has brought peace, but has also opened up space to grieve the small losses in life - the unfulfilled hopes - the expecting, I guess from the Zen perspective, and to refocus on the great gifts in the small details of life - the minutae of routine as you mention in a later post. What guidance Buddha or Zen (or any other similar message)provides is not always easy to follow. But thanks for prompting me to reflect again on the worthy objective.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21001963.post-67747077149961641132007-07-17T18:59:00.000+07:002007-07-17T18:59:00.000+07:00I know what you mean about the weather. I'd lived ...I know what you mean about the weather. I'd lived my whole life in Indonesia and now I've lived in Finland for 4 months and I've undergone weather changes. I've been trying to just enjoy everything and focus on the good things in life and counting my blessings whenever I feel the weather's affecting me. I've been trying to change my mindset about the weather. So far it's been going pretty well. Hopefully I can stay like this until winter, when it gets SOOOO dark here he he he...Amelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16792921371964029469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21001963.post-30100383610215003132007-07-16T11:06:00.000+07:002007-07-16T11:06:00.000+07:00You're an amazing Dad. That's the first thing tha...You're an amazing Dad. That's the first thing that strikes me when I've read your last two posts. You are training yourself to put her needs and wants and desires first. It's really cool to watch. <BR/><BR/>I've always been really intruiged by Buddhism. The teachings of Buddha are fascinating.<BR/><BR/>LCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21001963.post-36945585649439596172007-07-15T14:11:00.000+07:002007-07-15T14:11:00.000+07:00after reading this, i've decided your blog must be...after reading this, i've decided your blog must be listed in my links! :)Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09031370976246712353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21001963.post-47620935753903356922007-07-14T23:15:00.000+07:002007-07-14T23:15:00.000+07:00This has opened my eyes. I didn't realize that we ...This has opened my eyes. I didn't realize that we all DO have certain kinds of suffering, yet we could so easily change that.<BR/><BR/>Thanks. (:<BR/><BR/>- IrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21001963.post-63803965720421217362007-07-14T14:06:00.000+07:002007-07-14T14:06:00.000+07:00Thank you... I needed that. Especially the part ...Thank you... I needed that. Especially the part about now dwelling on the things I cannot do now that I have children, and instead soaking in the things I CAN... These are things I know in my head, but I tend to push out of my mind a lot.<BR/><BR/>~GeorgiaGeorgiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256454157260115672noreply@blogger.com