Prayer comes to mind—not the prayers that ask for specific outcomes but the prayers that I call reporting for duty. Make me an instrument of your peace. Let it be done unto me according to Thy word. Those kind of prayers do not decide what is best for another but ask for wisdom and grace for a troubled soul. They are prayers that surround the other with love and compassionate energies. I spent many years sponsoring others in 12 step programs and whenever I received a call from someone in distress, I uttered a silent prayer, asking God to get me out of the way. I wanted to be able to listen without judgment and deliver straight, helpful information with love and compassion. Ironically, in most cases the advice or counsel I gave was as helpful to me in my own journey as I hope it was to the caller. I grew from those conversations. No matter what our circumstances or limitations, in most cases, we can always pray or pick up the phone and check on another. You never know. It could be the highlight of their day.

Today is Ash Wednesday and I miss the ritual of receiving the ashes with others. “We are dust and to dust we shall return.” I prefer to say “stardust” because my 98 year old uncle often says, “We came from the stars and it’s fine with me if I return there.” That’s his way of saying, “We return to the light.”

Thich Nhat Hanh offers a version of the Buddha’s Five Remembrances in the Plum Village Chanting Book (Chanting from the Heart: Buddhist Ceremonies and Practices).

If you cannot attend an Ash Wednesday gathering, contemplating each of these five remembrances can be a substitute. Dr. Larry Ward in his book “America’s Racial Karma: An Invitation to Heal” says he begins each day breathing and contemplating these versus, giving five to seven breath cycles to each verse. This ritual is a powerful reminder hat we are all connected by our mortality. We are dust and to dust we shall return.

I am of the nature to grow old. There’s no way to escape growing old.

I am of the nature to have ill health. There’s no way to escape ill health.

I am of the nature to die. There’s no way to escape death.

All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape being separated from them.

My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground upon which I stand.

I also like the following prayer: “Dear holy one, mark us for all to witness that we are connected by our mortality. Impermanence, mortality, ashes, dust: this is the truth of being human. Remind us that this truth is what connects us. Remind us, also, that from love we come and to love we will return.” Rev. Lora Brandis, Braver/Wiser Weekly Meditation 2/17/2021

Worry less; meditate more; pray without ceasing which is another way of saying “practice the Presence’; exercise more; and definitely I would smile smile more. I’ve heard many meditation teachers say that a smile is the simplest form of meditation. I had a friend (RIP) who use to notice when others looked destressed and she would ask: “How are you today?” If they responded with the standard, “I’m fine” or “I’m good,” She would say, “Then inform your face!” Eckhart Tolle says that it’s important not to turn a situation into a problem. In many situations, I have learned that “less is more.” Sometimes, we just try too hard. In most situations, it’s important to ask myself: “Is this worth falling on my sword?” Accept more and judge less.

“Living as prayer. I think that is when I am at my best. Because seeing through prayer provides a remarkable clarity. Not in the doctrinal sense, but because it is, at best, the lens of a love for every tattered inch of this earth.” ~ Imani Perry The quote has grabbed me and is holding me. My husband use to say, “God needs you.” Perry’s quote says the same thing. It reminds me of John Michael Talbot’s song, “The St. Theresa Prayer.” It’s available on youtube.

Christ has no body now but yours
No hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
With compassion on this world
Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good
Yours are the hands,
With which He blesses all the world
Yours are the hands,
Yours are the feet
Yours are the eyes
You are His body
Christ has no body now but yours
No hands, no feet on earth but yours
Yours are the eyes through which He looks
With compassion on this world
Christ has no body now on earth
But yours