The Metta Prayer

Years ago I started a game that whenever the clock struck: 1:11, 2:22, 3:33, 4:44, 5:55, 10:10, or 11:11, I would let anyone in my life know that wherever I was that I was sending them support and love... and to pass it on. A game of imaginary tag. And then last January 2009 I found this verse, which I recite to myself for each and everyone of you, beyond and including the community of my friends and family.

May all beings be happy, content, and fulfilled.
May all beings be healed and whole.
May all have whatever they want and need.
May all be protected from harm and free from fear.
May all beings enjoy inner peace and ease.
May all be awakened, liberated, and free.
May there be peace in this world...
... and throughout the entire Universe.

Awakening the Buddha Within by Lama Surya Das

My Favorite Poem

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

THEN Almitra spoke again and said, And what of Marriage, master?
And he answered saying:
You were born together, and together you shall be for evermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness.
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

My Favorite Flower

I am a 4-H Girl!

I pledge...

My head to clearer thinking.
My heart to greater loyalty.
My hands to larger service.
And my health to better living...
for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

Every time I drive under a bridge and a train is moving along from above I reach one hand to the roof of my car and with the other hand I honk my horn. I make a wish. Wish! And it's the same wish every time. Can you guess what I wish for? Either way, it always and in all ways comes true.