Daily Duty

November 9, 2015Leave a comment

Blue sky over Lake Hood. On October 29th, 2015.

“Is the blue sky happy?
It is doing its daily duty,
Of course it is happy.”
~Terri Guillemets

Endure

August 30, 20152 Comments

Clouds in the sky. August 22nd, 2015.

“Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must.”
~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Temple

August 8, 2015Leave a comment

Buddhas outside Buddha Meditation Center, Anchorage Alaska. August, 2015.

“Skin is a covering for our immortality.” ~Terri Guillemets

Might have been best to place a Buddha quote under that photo, but I really enjoyed the idea Terri Guillemets portrayed. Not everything need be so matchy matchy. Right?

Just as I said, we went back for the evening service of chanting and meditation. I had a terrible headache all day, and I didn’t really feel like attending no matter how intriguing the idea. However, I knew it was important to J and no matter our current disposition – we have been through a lot together and always ended up supporting each other, at one time or another. It was hot inside. Buddhist monks can’t pay for a.c. The ceiling fans that looked like giant flowers didn’t spin either.

The Abbott greeted us once again, and showed us how to bow to Buddha three times prayer to chanting. We mimicked. Another non-Thai type entered, and he was also shown. The man appeared to be a European backpacker.

We bowed, we chanted – well.. I made no attempt. I am no good for soft rolling languages. It was difficult to follow. J, kept me on the right page. The chanting was very harmonious. There were intermittent sneezes and coughs, but altogether very peaceful. Chanting was followed by meditation – 40 minutes. A timer was set, and the Abbott meditated while walking behind the shrine. I sat and peeked through my eyelids, as we were instructed to look at Buddha through closed eyes. Proper breathing was also taught prior.

Sitting, sitting, breathing, and breathing. Quiet peeking, sitting and more sitting I thought “I don’t know if I can do this.” Despite my impatience, I did not get up or distract J. He wanted this, he needed this. The European backpacker fell asleep and his feet faced Buddha. Ours, safely tucked under our bodies and pointed away. The timer went off. Coughs, stretching and then a quick message in Thai to our ambassador of sorts (the kung fu looking man from prior post.) He quickly nodded and scooted over and told the visitor that although the Abbott did not say his form of meditation was wrong, it was wrong to point his feet at Buddha but also, his choice as it’s his karma. I really shortened that, the man explaining was very patient and gentle in his words.

I couldn’t leave quick enough. I felt sort of out of place, and I don’t know why. I really enjoy other cultures and customs. The temple is beautiful, the carpet was comfy. I can’t help but feel it had to do with being a woman, and temple/church/church/temple = organized religion which isn’t something I am super comfy with. It was a beautiful learning experience, nonetheless.

No Place

April 28, 20153 Comments

Almost a sundog, at Delong Lake. Late April, 2015.

“You can’t run away from trouble. There ain’t no place that far.” ~Uncle Remus

Still in a funk. Not sleeping right, boredom at work and on my mind – my back trouble. Last week, I was told by my chiropractor who was looking at x-rays done in 2009 that I have a Pars defect of the spine. New x-rays were taken to be graded and reviewed for Spondylolisthesis.

Growing Pains

April 27, 2015April 27, 2015Leave a comment

Tall trees around Delong Lake, Alaska. 04/17/15

I’m going through a rough patch, the past couple of days. It happens every so often, and I can’t always pinpoint why. It will all work out, I’m just going through some “growing pains.”

Human

April 23, 2015April 23, 2015Leave a comment

Looking up the side of the cliff, Point Woronzof beach. Mid-April, 2015.

We each need to make peace with our own memories. We have all done things that make us flinch. ~Surya Das

Mixed Up

April 14, 2015Leave a comment

Blue striped fish, at Alaska Coral Fanatics 04/12/15.

Every once in awhile, I get a bit mixed up. Usually, it’s when I’m not able to follow my self-care routine. Stress, builds up and sometimes I got to let off steam. With all of the build up of not being able to blog, working non-stop before my trip and then straight back to work practically in less than 8 hours. Not to mention, my emotions have been a little mixed up.

It was FANTASTIC to see my daughter and her beautiful children! Words cannot describe what it was like to hold that little baby girl in my arms, to hear her laugh and get her sweet kisses. It was all very overwhelming. My heart is strong but, sometimes my mind & body are weak. It was heartbreaking to fly away. My home is Alaska, but maybe my home can be anywhere – where my heart is.

My sweet has been very patient with me, and loving. My cats are absolutely in tune with my feelings, and have been by my side non-stop. I look forward, to getting myself back on track and moving in a more positive direction! Cheers friends, xo.