Daffodils for Young Moms

Spring is almost here, and Young Moms Kennett Square is having their annual silent auction on March 8, and this year’s theme is ‘Cultivate’. If you live in Kennett Square, Kennett, or just a few miles away, I highly recommend you join them for this fantastic event. It’s a great way to support a wonderful cause and have a fun time at the same time. The funds raised will go towards helping Young Moms Kennett Square.

Every year, they’d ask me if I would like to submit a painting for their fundraiser. I’m always happy to do it because I know Young Moms is a great cause that helps and supports their young clients. These special clients become amazing parents, and we all know that children are a reflection of their parents, and they’re all thanks to the amazing work that Young Moms does.

Please visit Young Moms website to learn more about them.

In a world where you can be anything, be kind, be compassionate ❤️

Daffodils

Oil on cotton

8 x 10 panel

I am the dark; I am the light

My dear Ohana (friends, family, and “strangers”),

I’ve been thinking about you and sending you loving vibes in hopes of drawing out what is hidden and forgotten within you, Love.

The months leading up to the US election were crazy, but have you ever been through an election that wasn’t? It’s just the way things are, or the proverbial nature of the beast. But here we are, on the other side of the sea. The sun still rises and sets. The Universe with all of us in it, still embraces the all in Unconditional Love. I trust you are doing well. 

Our friend sent me this precious poem the other day, How Dark The Beginning by Maggie Smith:

How Dark The Beginning

By Maggie Smith

All we ever talk of is light—
let there be light, there was light then,

good light—but what I consider
dawn is darker than all that.

So many hours between the day
receding and what we recognize

as morning, the sun cresting
like a wave that won’t break

over us—as if  light were protective,
as if  no hearts were flayed,

no bodies broken on a day
like today. In any film,

the sunrise tells us everything
will be all right. Danger wouldn’t

dare show up now, dragging
its shadow across the screen.

We talk so much of  light, please
let me speak on behalf

of  the good dark. Let us
talk more of how dark

the beginning of a day is.

I have been pondering on Smith’s poem since I got it, especially her envoi or closing message. Like a slow unveiling, this gradually came to me during my morning meditation moment in bed; that is, being still and quiet. I hope it gives you some peace and comfort as it did for me. Namasté.

I am the Dark; I am the Light

By Daniel Chow

Once upon a time

I feared the dark

My eyes could not see

Through the thickness of the dark

I filled in the dark

With my monkey mind

Like a projection in the dark theatre

I watched fictions unfold

Then one day, as the dark approached

I cowered not, I stood still

In silence, I observed how the light

Gracefully gave way to the dark

As the dark gracefully gave

Way to the light on the other side

Peace embraced my heart

It quietly spoke

Be still my beloved

It is only I

I am the Dark

I am the Light

Rest

Don't make yourself miserable with what is to come or not to come — Rumi

You may call me a Pollyanna, but you know what, this Pollyanna is, although annoyed and disappointed, is quite at peace. 

It’s not the end of the world. No one likes changes. Try living in a house that is under renovation! We like things to stay the same or “normal”, but…

“Normalcy is a paved road: It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.” — Vincent Van Gogh 

He wanted it, but we made him work for it. We did not hand this to him on a silver plater. This could be the first time in his life he actually worked for something! 

Will he have learned from his past mistakes and change his approach, such as surrounding himself with competent, wise, and knowledgeable people who he’ll actually listen to?

Meanwhile, everyone needs to stop behaving like modern-day Pharisees, judging and condemning, whining and crying about who has ever so slightly violated their cancel and woke culture ideologies.

Many decades ago, someone fittingly said this, 

Arguments don’t lead to truth because they stem from a confused and doubtful state of mind or ego.

People argue because they’re confused, think they’re more important than others, or want to force their opinions on others. But everyone has the right to their own thoughts and ideas, and no two humans are the same, so we all have different perspectives and paths in life.

I too am very unhappy with the outcome, and that’s okay. We’re only humans. Embrace it. 智慧 reminds me to be still, compassionate and patient. Easier said than done, but practice makes perfect! 

Ponder on these wisdom from Thích Nhất Hạnh

Fear of the unexpected leads many people to live a constricted and anxious life. No one can know in advance the misfortunes that may happen to us and our loved ones, but if we learn to live in an awakened way, living deeply every moment of our life, treating those who are close to us with gentleness and understanding, then we will have nothing to regret when something happens to us or to them. Living in the present moment, we are able to be in touch with life's wonderful, refreshing, and health-giving phenomena, which allow us to heal the wounds in our-selves. Every day we become more wonderful, fresh, and healthy.

And

If through mindfulness of the breath you generate harmony, depth, and calm, these will penetrate into your body and mind. In fact, whatever happens in the mind affects the body, and vice versa. If you generate peacefulness in your breathing, that peacefulness permeates your body and your state of mind.

Don’t allow yourselves to become like snowflakes. Yes I had my share of meltdowns! We’re humans. Let your heart guide you while you ride this next crazy wave. Ride it like a seasoned surfer, calmed and composed. When you’re in a mindful and meditative space, the crashing waves around you become like ripples. It is still a beautiful life. Hmm, does this remind you of a story from the New Testament? 🧘🏻🧘🏽‍♀️🧘🏼‍♂️

Stop squandering your energy on anger and judging other humans. Instead, be kind, tolerant, and compassionate to one another.

Join us and surf like a seasoned surfer.

智慧