Gratitude Journal

My good friend SJ left today, returning to Bristol after nearly two weeks with me in Montana and Yellowstone.

Accepting life as it is, I had a wonderful time with my friend. Of course I had my slips, falling back into memories, conversations, attempts to grasp, to figure out, and so on. But bringing acceptance to these moments brought me back to the present, the ever-full and joyous present.

1. Friends from afar will be my first gratitude item this week, SJ in particular, but there have been many others that have made their presence in my life felt these last few weeks. Thank you all. For SJ’s part, I must say that he brought an amazing sense of wonder to so much of daily Montana life that I would otherwise take for granted. So many times he would point out things in our journeys, from little birds to the vividness of the colors around us, always positive, always exploring.

2. Nature will be the second. “Nature” as a concept can be very vacuous as any philosopher or practicing Buddhist will know. Yet in this case I use it in a very common-sensical way: nature as big mountains, gushing rivers and waterfalls, geysers, bubbling mud pots, big animals, little ones too – all that stuff that for me at least demands presence. Maybe it was the way I was raised, but I can easily daydream at work, eating dinner, doing computer-stuff, etc, but when I’m in nature I am powerfully pulled into the moment, into appreciation of the intricacy and beauty of life. Trekking around Montana these last couple weeks have thus been both healing and invigorating.

3. Quiet time is next. Despite loving the travels, friends, family, experiences, etc, I really do consider myself an introvert and perhaps a bona fide Highly Sensitive Person. So these last two months, or maybe ten (but who’s counting) have left me with an immense storehouse of amazing experiences, people, stories, opportunities, etc, but rarely the quiet time needed to bring my own creative energy to those things. I sponged up a ton, but, like a sponge, it was too often a passive process, too one directional. Now I finally have the time to let things settle -on my own terms- to create. In a sense I’ve already begun – bringing myself to a beautiful city, a beautiful house in a quiet neighborhood surrounded by nature; I’ve re-engaged in meditation, leading weekly sessions, and so on. BUT, much more is to come, namely thesis work, writing, conferences, more articles.

4. Sight. Such a simple thing that we take for granted every day – at least I do. What can one say? I’m glad to see, glad to be seeing.

5. Farmers Markets, what a fantastic form of community, both in the opportunity to support local growers and producers (and to meet them and learn more about where your food comes from), and in meeting up with friends as a tradition, and seeing so many people from the past, all joyful from simply being there.

Ok, off to bed now, I have an early morning with miss Patia as we journey to Butte, America for a big parade and hopefully to see Barack Obama. Have a wonderful 4th of July everyone (even my non-USA friends!).