Making sure the baby Bluebirds and their parents get their meal worms to keep them all healthy during this dry spring. What beauties!

Walking my puppy through the oak forest and hearing the delightful songs of so many birds.

I figure everyone is challenged with the pandemic and just life’s regular trials like health issues, love issues and earning issues. So a smile or any effort at calmness, especially kindness to all now is so important. Again from my spiritual teacher I say every morning ” What would love have me do today? Something always arises to help me lean into life. Grateful and positive into life as it is now.

When I am in nature and touch a tree branch or leaf or see a strange bug or the milky way with stars that stretch across the night sky. Seeing a child smile and holding a baby. When my dog snuggles up and puts his head in my lap for a snooze. A kiss from my mate. I feel a grateful peace in my heart and soul.

Today I choose to embrace nature which always makes me feel the best that I am.

Gratitude stops me in my tracks when I start to feel sorry for myself or only look at the challenges that are difficult. When I ask myself to look, feel and see all the amazing luck, love and support I have it changes all to my feelings to one big sigh of grateful relief. I am humble in those moments for all that I do have.

Curiosity always feels so good. Exploring a hunch or finding a frog or looking for a falling star.

James thank you so much. The poems you have picked have lifted my spirits up, gave grace to my soul, comfort for my thoughts. So creative and helpful.

Being a twin. To share childhood with another makes for a lifetime loving bond. Which I did not expect as a child.

When I was a teacher I gave my young students so much love and interest in learning. Lots of plays, adventures, art projects, sports, poetry. So much and just seeing their happiness and smiles everyday was the best ever! Both of us students and teacher enriched with a full heart, mind and soul.

Fear of losing anyone in my family. It is crazy to dwell on that aspect of life. My mind knows I or anyone can die at anytime. So hopefully that would open myself to cherish and enjoy the moment and not dwell or carry that hidden fear. I don’t want to be in this world without them. I work on “Impermanence” meditations daily.

This poem is so perfect for me and all my friends. We are all getting something as we age but being grateful for what we have like in this poem is just right for us now. I will read it at book club this week for all. In our youth we thought we would be invincible. The honesty in this poem resonates with me greatly. Thank you!

What would love have me do today? My spiritual teacher taught me to say that out loud to myself to start my day.

I wave hello and smile if I am at a distance. I wave especially if I am wearing a mask.

When I doubt that I am not special enough to have one, fear, not being worthy. Yet everyday is more extraordinary to me as I age. Just seeing a bee or looking at the big gorgeous moon in the night sky last night. Really just gaining wisdom with age that living is extraordinary on planet Earth. Sets one free of ego based fear.

After I have a great conversation with a friend or my mate. Drinking morning coffee with my dog sleeping next to me at my feet. A beautiful sunshine morning and the outdoors calls me for a walk. Seeing a hawk fly over hearing the laughter of children playing.

I need to listen more and not jump in with my opinions so fast! Listen with patience and an open heart.

My grandmother’s, my Nonni’s who always loved the whole family including me. No matter what they laughed with us and showed us how to love unconditionally, made homemade dinners for all. I couldn’t pick one other the other. They gave their love to us freely. I still miss them so much!

This says it perfectly Creek. You expressed it so well!