Sharing community supper with our 18-month-old neighbor, Emery!
He takes great pleasure in feeding himself, smiling at every taste.
Soon we are laughing between every bite!

…taste every moment…

Is there an alternative?
Maybe trust gently.

The Joy of Neuroplasticity!!!

Focus and completion.

Writing and editing! Every time I sit down to write, I hope to do better.
Playing music! Every time I sit down to play, I hope to do better.
Tuning pianos! Every time I sit down to tune, I hope to do better.
Watching the bird feeders! Every time an unexpected surprise!

My early morning self is slow and simple, and remarkably creative and productive. Remembering this helps me be less complicated by the distractions of the day. Maybe I can learn to be slow and simple all the time.

Some have died, but they haven’t passed from my life. They have taught me skills I use regularly, and some gave me tools which I often use and call by their names. Craft is a living, embodied knowledge. passed on from those who carried it to those who carry it now. Craft is not just about the surface use of tools, it requires the deep heart understandings that guide and motivate good work. It is a wonderful practice to remember how many are still beside me as I work.

I might react less and respond more, being more in the present and less in my past.

I can start by remembering that the world matters more than me. Then I become free to act, to find out what I’m here for.
Hello! Good morning!

Today I will do good work and hope my work is useful to others.

Gratefulness and respect are two ways of letting what is, be.
They are two ways of giving up the demand that what is should somehow be different now. In doing this, I also forgive myself, lessening my emotional burden..
Breathing in, Respect says “O.K.” Breathing out, Gratefulness says “Thank You.”

I’m not sure I understand this question.
In practice I am more likely to share when I feel I’m “up-to-date” in my responsibilities to myself, my family, my community near and far. It is a good feeling when we take care of ourselves together.
If I’m giving what I can honesty give, it is a good feeling to give freely. But if I’m doing it to make myself feel better, I’m not sure that is really “giving.”

I don’t know about tomorrow, but I can ask what today reflects about yesterday.
A very old friend fell as I was arriving to visit. I couldn’t get to him as the door was locked. He said “Don’t worry, no broken bones!” He is always so happy to see me, and he could be gone so suddenly. There may be nothing I can do to help.
The time to receive his gifts is now.
The time to receive everyone’s gifts is now.

…some people think I’m funny…I think…maybe…

My desire to be happy, to experience purity of heart.
It can be a simple as filling the bird feeder or water dish.
The happiest day in our community is when we make breakfasts for the homeless shelter.

Thank you.
So beautifully said!
I pause and just enjoy being.

Nice new picture!

News from Durham Friends Meeting is that spinal cord stimulation implant works very well with Quakers!