My practice

I went to meet with Sakula yesterday. She told me that Buddhism is all about being in the body and living in harmony with nature and the universe. It is all about being in balance and making choices, helped by the eight precepts, that keep you in balance. I was very interested to hear this because I had no idea what Buddhism was all about. Being in balance creates joy in my life and I would like to learn how to accomplish it. I am going to be working with Sakula once a month and she is going to teach me. Balance creates a happy, contented even blissful life with no need for addictions and less need for aggression behavior. I want to learn to live that way.

Nobody's assistant

I am realizing that I want to prioritize my own life. I do not want to spend my life being an assistant to others. I want to make my contribution but in the structure of a group. I do not want to have friendships where I function as an unpaid assistant, nanny or pet walker without being compensated. Even if I am compensated I don't want that job.

Bored with blogging

I'm getting a little bored with blogging, other blogs and the internet. I don't feel like trying to get an internet business going. I'm just tired of the whole concept. I want to connect face to face with real people through real relationships. I'm also tired of voluntary simplicity and minimalism. I wish I had more money. I'm tired of the cutting back lifestyle.

reading

I have been reading Kraken, The Artist's Way, and the blogs Far Beyond The Stars and Sightline. I am trying to get more in touch with the world issues and the way things work. Sustainability and minimalism are important to me. I am learning to walk easy on the planet and not to consume too much. I am really more interested in becoming creative and non neurotic. I need to work on myself and my creativity by learning new things, experiencing new things and meeting new people.

Dreaming of green

My image for now is of green forests, running streams and creeks, soft rain or cloudy, misty skies. I have been visiting some of Portland's parks and green spaces. They give me the wonderful feeling of freedom and being nurtured. I love the trees, the ferns, the shadows and the coolness of the forest. The forest is my new thought and image.

Value Village

This morning I am going to Value Village with my niece. I need an new skirt as I have grown out of the ones I bought at Goodwill last year. I'm hoping to find one or two good ones for around $5 each. Also later on I might try Kohls for skirts. They sent me some good 15% off coupons in the mail. Later on today we will head over to Costco for a pizza lunch. I need to pick up some coffee, TP, diswashing liquid and half and half. Maybe a swim this afternoon and then a 12-step meeting this evening. I'm looking forward to a good day.