“A diminished self-image causes us to slouch, to avoid looking others in the eye, to be unassertive, to be indecisive. On the other hand, a healthy self-image causes us to carry ourselves well, to speak confidently and to portray dignity.”
From Wu Wei I Ching Wisdom Quotes
One sees dignity in the natural world. Looking more carefully one sees this dignity in fellow humans.
Thanks to Mark for this photograph, one in a series of Ravens in flight.
2004. Edmonton, Canada. The cards in 2004 were hand made and when the children got hold of the glue and tinsel…the sky was no limit! The text inside the card read “Shakyamuni Buddha was, is, and will be awakened upon beholding the morning star.
This is a post from December 25th 2005 (hope I’ve got the year right) when I was running a Priory in Edmonton, Canada. The cards were, to be honest, a bit ‘bonkers’ one-of-a-kind and those of us who made most of them, while holed up in a very snowy Valemount in BC Canada, were inspired by the children who made some at the Priory.
This is for all those who find themselves alone and lonely. This card is for you.
Crochet squares sewn together, artfully, and configured into a Christmas tree. Love the tippie star on top, also a crochet creation.
I do a bit of a dance around this time of year, the ‘holiday season’, with what to wish people when I send a card. This year I’ve been wishing people a ‘Peace Filled’ new year to come. I’m not shy about saying Happy Christmas or Xmas for that matter. Buddhamas? I don’t think so.
For me this time of year can do with as much ‘upcheering’ as we can all muster. Blasting light into the darkness for a short time is uplifting. Switch on the coloured lights, hang baubles on the bushes, and drape tinsel over window frames, pictures and mirrors. It doesn’t need to be artful, for me at least. That said, the room I live in sports only cards. Little room for anything else. Thank you to those who mailed a card.
If all the light and colour can reflect back into our own being and we can shine, all the better.
A mini-break to appreciate a video of the sights and sounds of the rain forest. These shorts are a regular feature at the end of the 90 min magazine program put out by CBS called Sunday Morning.
Ah! An hour long walk by the Leeds Liverpool Canal before breakfast and then a Leeds Meditation group meeting. Lunch followed.
At the other end of this short daylight day, a drive to Preston before the light faded to gloom. A good day. Goodnight.
In faith, tomorrow will dawn.
