What is this aging
that hides and scares me at night?
My children delight me.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Celebrate inconsistency
There is no perfection other than the way things are now. Consistency is a concept that warps reality and a practice that makes us into liars.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Fear and the Future
I'm at our headquarters in Maryland participating in high-level planning for our organization. We are creating our next five year strategic plan.
Here's what I notice: Fear has us focus on deficiencies. I'm talking about very subltle, sometimes insidious fear. Like with personal growth I believe that only practices will more fully uncover negative emotions and thoughts that limit us. In this case, the practice is to focus on assets and strengths and to plan from that place. If we pay attention then this practice will uncover our fears.
The great thing about uncovering our fears is that we can then be with them, say hello, and, perhaps, say goodbye; we will actually be more aware of them but we no longer will be working based upon them.
I'm excited about our work today.
Here's what I notice: Fear has us focus on deficiencies. I'm talking about very subltle, sometimes insidious fear. Like with personal growth I believe that only practices will more fully uncover negative emotions and thoughts that limit us. In this case, the practice is to focus on assets and strengths and to plan from that place. If we pay attention then this practice will uncover our fears.
The great thing about uncovering our fears is that we can then be with them, say hello, and, perhaps, say goodbye; we will actually be more aware of them but we no longer will be working based upon them.
I'm excited about our work today.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
My Fault
My fault is that I run away. I've done it for so long that I believe it find pleasure in doing so.
The dharma teaches me that doing so brings suffering. My commitment is to follow the dharma in this matter.
When I am pumped about being with this reality I yell, "Bring it on". When I find no motivation to be with this reality I seek my commitment to the dharma, to the option for not suffering, and to my love for this world.
The dharma teaches me that doing so brings suffering. My commitment is to follow the dharma in this matter.
When I am pumped about being with this reality I yell, "Bring it on". When I find no motivation to be with this reality I seek my commitment to the dharma, to the option for not suffering, and to my love for this world.
Monday, May 19, 2008
A Fence for Joy
My brother Sean and I tore down the fence in the back of our yard and put up a new one over the weekend. My love/hate relationship with home improvements was absent on this project because Sean has a ken for such work. I love being the #2 guy to someone who knows what they are doing. And we just have a darn good time working and being together.
Last evening as Bobbi and were talking about this she told me, "Yes, you make a good second lieutenant." I told her that I think when there are just two workers I'm not sure both are officers.
The fence looks great. Our neighbors are happy with it. Bobbi is happy. Sean and I had a joyful time. Amen.
Last evening as Bobbi and were talking about this she told me, "Yes, you make a good second lieutenant." I told her that I think when there are just two workers I'm not sure both are officers.
The fence looks great. Our neighbors are happy with it. Bobbi is happy. Sean and I had a joyful time. Amen.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
A Capitol Possibility
We attended the ribbon cutting for the Capitol Theater here at W. 65 & Detroit last night. As part of the Gordon Square Arts District the Capitol will be a three-screen theater for independent, foreign and documentary films. Here on the west side! The best part? Bobbi will no longer be suffered to listen to me whine all the way over to the east side for such films.
The event yesterday was sponsored by Detroit Shoreway. They honored and thanked all those investors making the renovation and opening of the Capitol possible. But in addition to the investors there are two people in particular that we can thank: Ray Pianka and Jeff Ramsey. Without both of them, during their particular time of leadership, this possibility would not be-becoming a reality. Thanks Ray and Jeff.
I'm picturing myself in a seat at the Capitol watching a great new foreign film - and only two blocks from my home - a two-run homer.
The event yesterday was sponsored by Detroit Shoreway. They honored and thanked all those investors making the renovation and opening of the Capitol possible. But in addition to the investors there are two people in particular that we can thank: Ray Pianka and Jeff Ramsey. Without both of them, during their particular time of leadership, this possibility would not be-becoming a reality. Thanks Ray and Jeff.
I'm picturing myself in a seat at the Capitol watching a great new foreign film - and only two blocks from my home - a two-run homer.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Crossing the harbor
Disappointment rings the bell,
calls mind and body to release
attachment to this and that;
sitting on this seat.
calls mind and body to release
attachment to this and that;
sitting on this seat.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Traction in my mind
I spent the day with Bobbi here in New York City exploring some of Staten Island. We took the subway, the ferry, two buses and our feet to visit the Staten Island Botanical Garden (http://www.sibg.org/) and Alice Austen's house (http://www.aliceausten.org/). (The Chinese Scholar's Garden at the SIBG is a must.)
I'm not by nature an adventurous traveller without a car. Although I found out in England last fall that I'm pretty cool with it when out in the country. The urban intensity sets me off my mark, so to speak. Bobbi then becomes the guide and she is a fantastic one.
What I find out in these situations is that it's great to give up decisions to her and just enjoy the trip. As I said, I'm more accomplished at this in certain environments over others. What I do know is that when I can let go of the story that I automatically bring to the situation, "I don't do well travelling in the big city", other stories come up, get created, gain traction in my mind. I like that.
Be well.
I'm not by nature an adventurous traveller without a car. Although I found out in England last fall that I'm pretty cool with it when out in the country. The urban intensity sets me off my mark, so to speak. Bobbi then becomes the guide and she is a fantastic one.
What I find out in these situations is that it's great to give up decisions to her and just enjoy the trip. As I said, I'm more accomplished at this in certain environments over others. What I do know is that when I can let go of the story that I automatically bring to the situation, "I don't do well travelling in the big city", other stories come up, get created, gain traction in my mind. I like that.
Be well.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Incentives, motivation and inertia
I was in Columbus today to make grant allocation decisions for affordable green housing developments in Ohio. We had significantly more projects "going green" and requesting funds than we had funds available.
It is inspiring that so many developers of affordable housing around the state are making a commitment to build their housing to be green, healthy and respectful of natural resources. The diversity of developments includes urban and rural; non-profit and for-profit; new construction and rehab; senior housing, family housing and housing for homeless.
This experience shows that incentives can encourage well-meaning businesses to jump in and do the right thing. The incentives jump start the process, they do not pay for the new endeavor in full, they do enable motivation, instead of inertia, to be determine the future. Amen.
It is inspiring that so many developers of affordable housing around the state are making a commitment to build their housing to be green, healthy and respectful of natural resources. The diversity of developments includes urban and rural; non-profit and for-profit; new construction and rehab; senior housing, family housing and housing for homeless.
This experience shows that incentives can encourage well-meaning businesses to jump in and do the right thing. The incentives jump start the process, they do not pay for the new endeavor in full, they do enable motivation, instead of inertia, to be determine the future. Amen.
Monday, May 5, 2008
My Morning Prayer
Waking up this morning I smile,
a brand new 24 hours are before me;
I vow to live fully in each moment
and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.
- Thich Naht Hanh
a brand new 24 hours are before me;
I vow to live fully in each moment
and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.
- Thich Naht Hanh
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Gifts are chosen
Whatever talents we have, whatever we are good at, whatever best other people see in us - none of that is a gift unless and until we give it to others.
My that sounds trite; something from 4th grade religion class, no? But let's look at it with no judgement involved. My talents are no less a talent if I do not give it to others. And there is nothing bad about not giving it; keep that guilt away!
A transformation takes place when I choose to share a talent with someone else. The act is what transforms not the talent. Giving makes the talent a gift. Gifts are where surprise and hope find life (thank you Brother David.) In other words, gifts make life rich.
My that sounds trite; something from 4th grade religion class, no? But let's look at it with no judgement involved. My talents are no less a talent if I do not give it to others. And there is nothing bad about not giving it; keep that guilt away!
A transformation takes place when I choose to share a talent with someone else. The act is what transforms not the talent. Giving makes the talent a gift. Gifts are where surprise and hope find life (thank you Brother David.) In other words, gifts make life rich.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Greed
Buddha taught that there are Three Poisons: Greed, Hatred and Delusion.
The current housing crisis is certainly caused by Greed. The banks, the investment houses, the investors all wanted to "increase their margin" as usual. Don't they make it sound innocuous? Our governments allowed them to do it. So mostly innocent folks are now losing their homes, losing the value of the primary investment and suffering increased crime.
Meanwhile, what's up with these greedy banks? This from the New York Times this morning on one of them, Deutshce Bank:
''Conditions have become significantly more challenging during the last few weeks,'' the bank said. ''Reflecting this environment, Deutsche Bank anticipates in the first quarter 2008 markdowns in the region of 2.5 billion euros, related to leveraged loans and loan commitments, commercial real estate and residential mortgage-backed securities.''
Despite the write-downs, the bank said it expected to stay on its course and its shares rose 2.8 percent to 73.70 euros ($116.53)."
In other words, "we're writing off $4 billion and it's going to stay bad but our shares are rising because other greedy investors think that we are still relatively a good opportunity for a little more margin."
The world will end this way, for the benefit of a little more margin.
The current housing crisis is certainly caused by Greed. The banks, the investment houses, the investors all wanted to "increase their margin" as usual. Don't they make it sound innocuous? Our governments allowed them to do it. So mostly innocent folks are now losing their homes, losing the value of the primary investment and suffering increased crime.
Meanwhile, what's up with these greedy banks? This from the New York Times this morning on one of them, Deutshce Bank:
''Conditions have become significantly more challenging during the last few weeks,'' the bank said. ''Reflecting this environment, Deutsche Bank anticipates in the first quarter 2008 markdowns in the region of 2.5 billion euros, related to leveraged loans and loan commitments, commercial real estate and residential mortgage-backed securities.''
Despite the write-downs, the bank said it expected to stay on its course and its shares rose 2.8 percent to 73.70 euros ($116.53)."
In other words, "we're writing off $4 billion and it's going to stay bad but our shares are rising because other greedy investors think that we are still relatively a good opportunity for a little more margin."
The world will end this way, for the benefit of a little more margin.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
My Hopes
I am down here in Dallas participating in developing a five year strategic plan for our Dallas market team. Yesterday we were asked what some of our hopes were. My answers:
One hope I have for the world: Understanding among all people.
One hope I have for my family: Abounding happiness.
One hope I have for myself: Be fearless.
Yeah Baby!
One hope I have for the world: Understanding among all people.
One hope I have for my family: Abounding happiness.
One hope I have for myself: Be fearless.
Yeah Baby!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Resurrection Faith
I believe that we die and can be reborn hundreds of times each day.
I believe that we die and can remain dead for years.
Courage to find joy is the difference.
Teachers are the difference.
Seeing Wonder is the difference.
Standing for Peace is the difference.
Being present, fearless and with love in our hearts is the difference.
I believe that we die and can remain dead for years.
Courage to find joy is the difference.
Teachers are the difference.
Seeing Wonder is the difference.
Standing for Peace is the difference.
Being present, fearless and with love in our hearts is the difference.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Anniversaries
Today would have been my parents' 63rd wedding anniversary. They made it to their 59th in this life. I honor their life together by saying thank you for the world that they made better, for giving me life, giving my children life and for breaking a sad Irish tradition of drinking too much and fucking up lives - they had great lives!
Today is also the anniversary of the destruction of the One Ring that led to the downfall of so many in LOTR through greed and misuse of power. In memory I ask, What is the One Ring in our world today? Greed and power are certainly fucking up the world now, sadly screwing working folk and poor folks in this country and throughout the world; and fucking up the earth as we speak. What will it take to get those in power to see the brutality of their way? If only we had a ring to throw into the fire. Meanwhile, speaking truth must be our anniversary flag.
Today is also the anniversary of the destruction of the One Ring that led to the downfall of so many in LOTR through greed and misuse of power. In memory I ask, What is the One Ring in our world today? Greed and power are certainly fucking up the world now, sadly screwing working folk and poor folks in this country and throughout the world; and fucking up the earth as we speak. What will it take to get those in power to see the brutality of their way? If only we had a ring to throw into the fire. Meanwhile, speaking truth must be our anniversary flag.
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