“Its’ a jungle out there” –Randy Newman (Monk theme song)
“Unto the desert turn thine eye” –Agni Yoga
Fighting the Old vs Creating the New
(Hate vs Love)
One can fight corruption and decay, but the old ones are
often invested in the old ways and never give up or change. If you look forward
into the future, and build something better, the old ways often drop away of
their own weight. They die out when something better takes their place. It was
this way for civil rights, and will be for immigration. It was this way for the
USSR and for woman’s rights, and will be for our old habits of movement as
well.
This is more a matter of style, than of purpose. The choice is how to make a better world. One can either work to destroy the less savory conditions we sometimes find in the world around us, or one can try to create something better, planting the seeds of a better future with more beauty and harmony and thoughtfulness in it. Sometimes we don't seem to have a choice, but often a kinder path may present itself to us if we are open to it.
Dad’s long flight
When I was an infant, my dad was in the military, and was
crew on various aircraft after World War two. He was scheduled for a three day
flight. At the last minute his assignment was changed to one where he would be
gone for a month. My mom and he were upset. But then… The three day flight ran into a mountain, no
survivors. When it’s not your time, it’s not your time.
Think Big
“A man’s reach should exceed his grasp.” – Robert
Browning,(from Andrea del Sarto).
“If a storm doesn’t sometimes blow down your antenna, it
wasn’t big enough.” – Ham radio aphorism
We should try for the moon and stars. Most of the time we
think small, and accomplish the mundane tasks necessary to get through everyday
life’s situations. It can really help us to keep things in perspective if we
sometimes look to the far horizon and think, “What If…..”
The Dalai Lama says we should be content with our material
growth, but should never be content with our spiritual growth. Attempt large
tasks. These past few weeks I’ve started to prepare/practice to perform on
stage, making music. The other night I went to an open mike night and played
for the first time. When we stop trying new things and looking to the future,
we may start to get old. The story of the three little pigs is ok, but living
inside a house of bricks isn’t always appropriate.
Blessings to All,
Daniel
