yogi tea

February 4, 2010 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , ,

Who among us feels as though we have enough time in the day?  Between all the ‘have tos,’ the ’should dos,’ and the ‘wants’ a day quickly flitters away leaving it time to say goodnight again.

Lately I have been noticing how very lovely it can be to stop for just a moment and make some tea.  I love loose leaf teas and learning about different combinations, but the ritual of making tea doesn’t need to be complicated at all.  I highly recommend purchasing a few different varieties of Yogi Tea.  One does not need any yoga experience or practice to enjoy- the only requirement is the desire for a few moments of peace and reflection.

Not only is Yogi Tea made with mostly organic ingredients, but it also comes with a reminder to make your tea time sacred time.  Here are a few messages on the yogi tea bags:

Strength does not lie in what you have.  It lies in what you can give.

Love is what is ahead by loving what has come before.

Mantras you shouldn’t say: I don’t know; I’m not ready; I can’t do it.

Take take to nourish your soul.

If your word does not reflect your spirit and honor, do not speak.

“Whenever she sat still, just looking at something, she got the feeling that she was wasting precious time when she should be doing things or meeting people.  She could be spending her time so much better, because there was still so much to learn.  And yet, as the sun sank lower on the horizon, and the clouds filled up with rays of gold and pink, Brida had the feeling that what she was struggling for in her life was exactly this, to be able to  sit one day and contemplate just a sunset.”-Paulo Coelho, Brida

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Lee’s Inspiration

January 28, 2010 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , ,

I have often attempted to describe how I feel about other beings- not just the human beings, but the animal beings and plant beings as well.  Usually, I find myself at a loss to fully express the way my heart feels connection with all of their hearts, and I think it can sound rather trivial.  Unless you are a person who also feels that way, I don’t think my words are able to convey the depth of what I actually feel inside.

Yesterday, I found someone who can accurately express these emotions through words.  Unfortunately, it arrived on account of sadness, but I was so moved I wanted to share it with more people.  My dear friend, teacher, mentor, and (lucky for me) aunt Lee is truly one of the most beautiful people I know.  One cannot be in her presence without feeling touched by grace.  One of her many loving-kindness practices is a dance practice called Butoh.  I do not know much about Butoh, but I know it is the dance of the soul.  Lee has begun archiving her daily dances on her blog.  When I ran across this posting I knew I had to share it with more people.

If you decide you don’t want to read the entire article, please consider visiting this site to witness some of the beauty our invasive human species has ruined.

I do not mean to make you sad.  No, I do.  I mean to make you sad in order to make you pause and think.  What are we doing?  And yes, each one of us CAN help.

Lee posted many stunning quotes and poems with this in mind, and I leave you with one more called “Watching a Documentary about Polar Bears Trying to Survive on Melting Ice Floes,” by Mary Oliver.

That God had a plan, I do not doubt.

But what if His plan was, that we would do better?

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letting happiness find me.

January 24, 2010 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , ,

“Ever since happiness heard your name, it has been running through the streets trying to find you.” – Hafiz of Persia

It’s true.  We are innately meant to be happy.  When we are living in the joy of each moment, we find our spirits free.  Sometimes, however, it is quite difficult to remember that happiness is a close friend.  Fortunately, here in Seattle, I feel blessed to have numerous moments when I do know happiness is tracking me down, and I don’t have to work so hard to find it.

One of my favorite things about Seattle is that spring starts right about now.  Yup, in late January the flowers start to bloom, the song birds begin their morning music, and the air fills with new smells.

At the same time, I can still look out across the sound to a picturesque view of the Olympics.

And all those spring smells inspire my little buddies to roll around like crazy!

“Ever since happiness heard your name, it has been running through the streets trying to find you.”  - Hafiz of Persia

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interconnections with food

January 18, 2010 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , ,

“May the food we are eating make us aware of the interconnections between the universe and us, the earth and us, and all other living species and us.  Because each bite contains in itself the life of the sun and the earth, may we see the meaning and value of life from these precious morsels of food.” — Adapted from Thich Nhat Hanh

This meditation comes from a book called A Grateful Heart: Daily Blessings for the Evening Meal from Buddha to the Beatles, edited by M.J. Ryan.  If you haven’t spent much time with Thich Nhat Hanh, the Buddhist monk I quoted above, I highly recommend it- find some time to read or listen to some of his work.  It is lovely.

Anyhow, I am often struck at how far we have come from that basic sentiment- that the food we eat comes from the earth and the sun, is part of the web of life, and should be considered sacred.  I believe this to be true for all food; both animal products and non-animal products, as they all feed one another and would not be available without one another.  I tend to eat more vegetarian than anything, but I do occasionally desire a big bowl of chicken and rice soup or grilled halibut (I still find pig and cow pretty gross).  Yes, when I eat an animal filled meal I ask for a special blessing- those animals are beings just like me- and they sure didn’t ask to be my dinner.  I always thank them for their life, for their gift to me.

Someone recently sent me an article written by scientists who are looking into the connections between the way we raise our meat and poultry in this country and the spread of human disease.  Basically, the bottom line is this- if we don’t change the way meat is mass-raised, in ridiculously small cages without proper air or movement, or just the basic tenants of a life, we are going to find ourselves dealing with a lot more than just swine flu.  All over the world, scientists are finding that the chickens, pigs, and livestock raised with healthy and humane practices do less damage to the earth, and are not sick with all sorts of diseases.  Treating our animals with respect is a win/win for both of us- even it doesn’t bother you to eat veal, a little baby cow who sat in a box and his own poop for his lifetime (sorry, had to put that in there…veal makes me so mad), at least think about the impact our handling of animals has for our own (human) healthy futures, or we may learn about our interconnectedness in a not so lovely way.

Instead of buying the mass produces products, (which, by the way, can also be injected with all sorts of yummy things from nitrates to antibiotics) do a little research.  Find out which local farms raise their meat humanely.  Check with your grocer- I have found certain grocery stores have agreements with certain local farmers to be certain their meat is handled in a particular way.  Yes, it is a bit more expensive.  But if we all start doing it, those practices will become the norm, and will no longer be ‘exclusive’.  If nothing else, connect with that bite of bacon before putting it in your mouth.  Remember that bacon was once a being just like you, and just say plain old ‘thanks.’  I’d be willing to bet that practice alone could cause a shift in how we raise and consume our meat.

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miep gies

January 13, 2010 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , ,

For those of us who have read The Diary of Anne Frank or have been in the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam, the courage of Miep Gies is tangible and powerful.  When one witnesses such selflessness, one cannot help but be changed in some way forever.

Miep Gies was one of the four Dutch citizens who helped to hide Anne Frank and her family in a secret annex in her father’s office building.  She risked her own life everyday to do what was right for her friends, and later, when the family was taken by the Gestapo, she was the one who grabbed Anne’s diary, in hopes of returning it to her after the war.  She died on January 11, at the age of 100, one of our world’s truly beautiful people.

Miep Gies never wanted much accolades- in every interview I have come across, she downplayed her role as the ‘hero,’ always saying she just did what she needed to do at the time, as anyone else would do.  But would ‘any’one else do the same?  When we look at history we automatically gasp in horror, “I would NEVER do that” or “How could they have let that happen?”  I would like to think I would have stepped in just as Miep did, but I have never been confronted with that situation.

I do know that the heart’s ability to put oneself aside to help another begins with compassion, and should be tended to daily.  When our own hearts are strong we know what is right and wrong, no matter what the world is telling us.

I am not sure why this Emily Dickinson poem sprang into my head as I thought about this, but it did, so I will share it now:

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

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happy birthday, bailey!

January 7, 2010 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , ,

January 8- A day like any other, except it is Bailey’s first birthday.  I was considering what I could do to make her day special, but seeing as how she spends everyday enjoying time outdoors, eating her favorite treats, getting quality belly rubs, and taking numerous naps, I didn’t know what could make it better.  Then I felt a bit silly trying to plan a special day for a puppy.  Suddenly, I realized it was not silly at all, as I am deeply grateful for her life and her friendship.  She teaches me daily a most important lesson:  I love you, you love me, and that is all that matters right now.  What if that could become the mantra of all people?  I love you, you love me, and that is all that matters right now.

We live constantly surrounded by news of war, thoughts of hatred, and witness to despicable atrocities.  Truly, when one stops to think about it, the amount of pain in our world is downright depressing.  Between the global pains of war and abuse to all of creation, and one’s personal journey which is inevitably filled with setbacks, it seems like sadness should be the pervasive force in life.

Last night I saw a deeply disturbing bit about the garbage mass swirling in the North Pacific Ocean.   Our wasteful habits have created a mass of garbage twice the size of Texas in the middle of the ocean.  Twice the size of Texas.  Bits and pieces of this mass have started to make their way to the beaches of Hawaii- a plastic sand of sorts.  Sounds like a good day at the beach.  If you enjoy seafood, then you should know that as this mass of garbage sits under the sun, it’s toxic waste is seeping into our waterways, sure to be gobbled up by the very fish you enjoy.  Yummy.  I can’t help but wonder how we, as individuals and the group, have strayed so far from our centers, have become so distant from our consciences, that we continue to add to these problems.  When will we decide our actions are connected to the whole?  If this isn’t a visual reminder to realize our connection to our home, then I am at a loss to know what is.  As I turned off the TV, sad, up came my Bailey to nuzzle and remind me- I love you, you love me, and that is all that matters.

With all the negativity surrounding us, it can be difficult to stay positive.  We may feel that the little things we do don’t matter much.  On the contrary, we can consider the words of Margaret Mead- “Don’t think that a small group of awakened individuals cannot change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”  In order to start changing the world, we begin by changing our own patterns of thought.  Starting with all the creatures (people, animals, plants, what have you) we meet we can simply say “I love you, you love me, and that is all that matters right now.”

In this way, gratitude can become the norm, the heart may find space for wonder, and light will trickle into life and allow us all to smile.

Through it all, everyday, Bailey lets me know- I love you, you love me, and that is all that matters.  So here’s to you, my silly Bailey Monster.  Enjoy your day of birth- I am so grateful for your life, and for the privilege of having your life intertwined with my own.  May you eat all the cheese you like and then pass out on our bed with your sister.



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“all in a day”

December 29, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , ,

All in a Day is the title of the newest book by renowned children’s author Cynthia Rylant.  If you have small children, or just enjoy a good picture book, I highly recommend this beautiful book filled with Nikki McClure’s paper cut illustrations.

Seeing as how 2010 is nearing quickly, and I don’t really believe in “resolutions,” I thought it might be appropriate to share this book with others, as an inspiration for the new year.

The words are complimented with the lovely pictures, but can also stand on their own.  It is a perfect message for young children while remaining a profound reminder for adults.

All in a Day

A day is a perfect piece of time

to live a life,

to plant a seed,

to watch the sun go by.

A day starts early,

work to do,

beneath a brand-new sky.

A day brings hope

and kindness, too…

a day is all its own.

You can make a wish,

and start again,

you can find your way back home.

Every bird and every tree

and every living thing

loves the promise in a day,

loves what it can bring.

There is a faith in morningtime,

there is belief in noon.

Evening will come whispering

and shine a bright round moon.

A day can change just everything,

given half a chance.

Rain could show up at your door

and teach you how to dance.

The past is sailing off to sea,

the future’s fast asleep.

A day is all you have to be,

it’s all you get to keep.

Underneath that great big sky

the earth is all a-spin.

This day will soon be over

and it won’t come back again.

So live it well, make it count,

fill it up with you.

The day’s all yours, it’s waiting now…

See what you can do.

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in time for christmas

December 23, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged

A prayer from Howard Thurman:

I will light candles this Christmas

Candles of joy, despite all sadness,

Candles of hope where despair keeps watch.

Candles of courage where fear is ever present,

Candles of peace for tempest-tossed days,

Candles of grace to ease heavy burdens.

Candles of love to inspire all my living,

Candles that will burn all the year long.

*****Merry Merry Christmas*****

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winter solstice

December 21, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , ,

Happy Winter Solstice- the shortest day of the year.  Being the shortest day of the year, it is also the darkest day of the year, as there are many more hours of darkness than light on this day.  Traditionally, in order to see in the darkness, we must light a candle.  Sometimes, during community gatherings, one person will light another’s with his candle, and so on until everyone has light.  (This has always been my favorite part of midnight mass on Christmas Eve:)

Symbolically, we can consider those candle flames to be the love within our hearts.  Even in the darkness that love burns.  On the darkest day of the year we can continue to light the flames of others with our own hearts.  Practicing loving kindness to all that we meet will keep the love burning in our hearts and allow more light to flourish in our world.

“With love in our heart let’s each do our part to make the whole world feel loved.”  Mary Tucker

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christmas wrappings

December 20, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized

Ahhh, the season of giving.  Time to find the right way to say “Thanks for being you.”  While it is, of course, of the utmost importance to find the perfect gift for each person on your list, please remain aware of the packaging and wrappings we choose.

For some time, I have been perplexed by the amount of plastic in our lives.  Time and again, plastic has been proven to cause harmful effects to humans, while simultaneously showing ill effects on our earth.  It takes numerous chemicals to create plastic, even the plastics that can be recycled.  Plastics that become over heated, i.e. a water bottle left in a car, leak harmful substances into the water that we then drink.  Speaking of plastic water bottles, it is estimated that “manufacturing the nearly 28 billion plastic water bottles used to package water in the United States alone requires 17 million barrels of oil.”  I can’t imagine what our ancestors are saying watching us buy tap water that has been bottled.  (Just an FYI- studies have shown that the regulations on tap water are actually higher than those placed on bottled water.  If you are concerned about your water quality, add a filter to your faucet- the bottled water may, in fact, be worse than tap.)

Back to my original point- plastics are harmful.  Beyond the effects of chemicals plastics create, our wasteful habits have also deposited enormous amounts of trash all over our oceans.

I’m having trouble with any sort of eloquence or ability to cohesively make sense here, so I’ll state my point quickly and be done.  Let’s all try to use less plastic in our shopping, packaging, and wrapping this year.  We will all be better for it.

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