Holiday Mindfulness Message

This is a time of year for many people to share company, laughter, joys, reflections, and gratitude. Yet in the (self-imposed? societally-encouraged?) rush of the holiday season, it's easy to lose our presence of mind and gratitude for and enjoyment of the little things in life.

Sylvia Boorstein, a terrific author and Buddist teacher, talks of a quote she saw while on a meditation retreat. It's simple, yet very powerful:



"Life is so difficult, how can we be anything but kind?"

Happy Holidays everyone! I hope you have a restful and joyful break.

Study Break

Everyone needs an occasional study (or grading) break, right? Note: If you aren't taking some stress-relief breaks, then you'll be less productive and more cranky--I know this from experience.

Here's something everyone can enjoy--an adorable picture of a sleeping koala bear. I hope it brings a smile to your face. (Koalas were my very favorite animal growing up--I had about 30 koala stuffed animals. So this picture brings a special warmth to my heart, and I share this with all of you. :))

Wonderful Example of Making a Difference in the World

Last Saturday Lawrence students hosted an alternative giving fair, where people were treated to heartfelt stories of human suffering and hopeful methods of relieving this suffering. The idea was for people to consider (as holiday gifts) donations to any of the wonderful causes represented at the fair.



I felt proud when I walked in the room on Saturday--proud to see Lawrence students so committed to making the world a better place. And to see them encouraging alternative holiday gifts (rather than the encouragement we get at the mall to buy more and bigger and better "stuff"). This great event was hosted by the student group, Students' War Against Hunger and Poverty (SWAHP -- http://www.lawrence.edu/sorg/swahp/).



I was especially proud of two Lawrence students, Oliver and Rebecca Zornow, for their commitment to the development of the Caneille region of Haiti. Oliver started this project when he was a senior in high school. (When I was a senior in high school, I remember being concerned about my hair, my friends, my athletic endeavors, my academics, etc., but not with making the world a better place.) This is an example of one person (and now multiple people) making a difference in the world -- actually making the lives of people in Haiti better. We should all consider this example when we get in the negative mindset that our individual actions can't really make a difference. The reality is that we can positively change the world, one person at a time. Please check out Oliver and Rebecca's great work: http://www.caneille.org/

Mindfulness Message

Alas, I have not made the time to blog in the last few weeks, even though I have thoughts I want to share. This is an example of me not prioritizing something that is quite important to me (instead, I've let the other to-do stuff take over). But life is a learning process, right? I hope to blog more in the next couple weeks. In the meantime, here is a mindfulness message:



“We make a lot of mistakes. If you ask people whom you consider to be wise and courageous about their lives, you may find that they have hurt a lot of people and made a lot of mistakes, but that they used those occasions as opportunities to humble themselves and open their hearts. We don’t get wise by staying in a room with all the doors and windows closed.”

Pema Chodron
(From Start Where You Are)