Starting from what is true
We can see the whole panorama
The landscape of problems facing us
And those we serve

Without judgement, we can survey the facts
No interpretation
What is happening here?

Once seen and accepted
Our brain can start to discern paths
Paths to a different future
Not more of the same

We can puzzle about possible side effects
Of various actions we could take

Once chosen, we can take a small path step
And test the results
Does it help?

Photo by George Bakos

Each of us has a circle
A circle of friends and family
Perhaps neighbors and parishioners
Insiders

We support, protect, and assist those in our circle
They are our people
They are like us

What about the others?
The ones outside the circle
They have circles of their own
Circles that don't intersect ours

How big is your circle?
What if you expand it?

Photo by Nong V

Braving the cold to train gongfu in a park with others
Practice patience while I let my body remember

Fingers chilled to the bone
Yet fire lit in the belly

Control your breath
Move slowly
Shift forward, shift back

Create the wave
The joyful, playful wave

Photo by Jeremy Bishop

Surprise endings challenge our beliefs about what we thought would happen.
They can be thrilling or uncomfortable.

Standing outside our expectations, we see the workings differently.
Things are not as we assumed.

Add new facts to our inventory.
Revise our vision of the world.

Remaining open to learning all around us.
Pliant, flexible, adjusting, nimble, resilient.

Photo by Erwan Hesry

Bridges span gaps

A ravine

A stream

An ocean

They can also span differences

Can I find a path to you?
A way to see the world through your eyes

What must your world be like?
How does it feel to be you?

Reaching out to others rather than cutting them out
You get to choose
Either way is fine
Just own your choice

Photo of Multnomah Falls in Portland, OR by James Forbes

Shame can be corrosive
When we believe something is wrong with us
Rather than that we have done wrong

Wrong being instead of wrong doing

Shame binds us and keeps us from moving forward
We believe making a mistake will let everyone see how wrong we are

Instead we hide
Inside drink or addiction
Afraid to move or be seen

Yet mistakes must be made on the journey to learning
How to move forward with hope?

Compassion for our self and the struggle
Acknowledging it is not easy to press forward and be wrong
Believing in the possibility of healing this shame in ourselves

What works for you?

Photo by Michał Mancewicz

Harmony within
Harmony without

All things blending together in a beautiful song
A song of life

Nothing out of balance
The Middle Way

Too much work... no good
Too much rest... no good

Moving with freedom and ease
United within
United without

Photo by Joshua J. Cotten

When doubts arise
And you are unsure you can do the work in front of you

Stop to remember all the times you carried on
And broke through the barrier
Finding yourself more capable than you imagined

Doubts of self may come
Like the pitter-patter of light rain

Move on through the rain
You've got this

Photo by reza shayestehpour

Bears hibernate in winter
So do ladybugs, bats, bees, and hedgehogs

It is a natural rhythm to sleep more when it is cold
Sleeping conserves our energy
Our warmth

The extra dark creates an invitation for more sleep too

Winter is for rest
Enjoy your rest

Photo by Zdeněk Macháček

There is no growth in your comfort zone.

Striving to be uncomfortable seems odd
Yet how can I know what I can do if I don't try things new?

With the Resistance as my ally, I can scale new mountains.
See heights and sights unimagined.

Living in a box is no way to live

Photo by Christopher Bill