I hope for mind
mind that is here
mind that is laid open to its task
mind that is at peace
with sorrow, pain, anger and joy
mind that takes each as a passing storm to be loved
9.23.2011
9.19.2011
In our hearts we know the perfumed flowers are our sisters
The deer, the horse, the great eagle, these are our brothers
That the earth does not belong to man
Man belongs to the earth
And this also we know
All things are connected like the blood which unites one family
That man did not weave the web of life
He is but a strand in it
Whatever he does to the web he does to himself
So friend, do it this way and if you so do
The power of the universe will come to your assistance
But be sure your heart and mind are one
For all of creation is related and the hurt of one is the hurt of all
And the honor of one is the honor of all
And whatever we do touches each and everything in the universe
Each of us was put here in this time and this place
To personally decide the future of the world
Did you thing you were put here for something less
So if you do it this way that is if you truly join your heart and mind as one
Whatever you ask for, that's the way it's going to be.
Inspired and Adapted from Various Native American Elders
The deer, the horse, the great eagle, these are our brothers
That the earth does not belong to man
Man belongs to the earth
And this also we know
All things are connected like the blood which unites one family
That man did not weave the web of life
He is but a strand in it
Whatever he does to the web he does to himself
So friend, do it this way and if you so do
The power of the universe will come to your assistance
But be sure your heart and mind are one
For all of creation is related and the hurt of one is the hurt of all
And the honor of one is the honor of all
And whatever we do touches each and everything in the universe
Each of us was put here in this time and this place
To personally decide the future of the world
Did you thing you were put here for something less
So if you do it this way that is if you truly join your heart and mind as one
Whatever you ask for, that's the way it's going to be.
Inspired and Adapted from Various Native American Elders
6.20.2011
6.19.2011
What I look forward to every evening and weekend these days are the blocks of time when I can be outside. Whether I'm sitting, walking, running, gardening or observing I find something new every time.
I often think how I'd like to start my own business and then I think about how I definitely don't want a business. The underlying desire is to able to dictate my own schedule or allow my schedule to be dictated by more local forces. I have things I want to share which I feel could be marketed and the only reason the thought comes to mind is because that is how we survive in this culture (by marketing something we feign to own). I cannot in a clear conscience think about marketing the ideas I want to share because they are not mine. They belong to each of us and I believe we only need to relearn them.
I want a local currency.
And sometimes I become impatient with my own ability to articulate thoughts so I leave what has been written and wait for a better time to write.
I often think how I'd like to start my own business and then I think about how I definitely don't want a business. The underlying desire is to able to dictate my own schedule or allow my schedule to be dictated by more local forces. I have things I want to share which I feel could be marketed and the only reason the thought comes to mind is because that is how we survive in this culture (by marketing something we feign to own). I cannot in a clear conscience think about marketing the ideas I want to share because they are not mine. They belong to each of us and I believe we only need to relearn them.
I want a local currency.
And sometimes I become impatient with my own ability to articulate thoughts so I leave what has been written and wait for a better time to write.
5.04.2011
4.26.2011
You can rarely say what you truly want
I want to say that I'm thoughtful
Heavily
more than I've been in my own memory
I think things are changing and will continue to do so
In a way that is not necessarily to our liking
Teaching ESL brings you a lot of information
A lot of feeling
From Mexico, Vietnam, Egypt, Libya, Congo, Iraq
Things I don't know
You can't know the lives that push you to wake up
You listen
I try
And when I wonder I can sit outside and feel the night breeze
maybe this is where I can return if my life becomes like a stranger
We still have birds
trees
bees
squirrels
and plants of all kinds
I think we can find something new
that we lost
and find hope that while things change
they continue to change
I want to say that I'm thoughtful
Heavily
more than I've been in my own memory
I think things are changing and will continue to do so
In a way that is not necessarily to our liking
Teaching ESL brings you a lot of information
A lot of feeling
From Mexico, Vietnam, Egypt, Libya, Congo, Iraq
Things I don't know
You can't know the lives that push you to wake up
You listen
I try
And when I wonder I can sit outside and feel the night breeze
maybe this is where I can return if my life becomes like a stranger
We still have birds
trees
bees
squirrels
and plants of all kinds
I think we can find something new
that we lost
and find hope that while things change
they continue to change
3.31.2011
How can I put to words the thoughts I've been having over the past months. No idea.
So I will try write more freely, without review or attempt at reconstruction. I'm witing this while at work. Something that is rather unusual and would have felt problematic maybe just a couple months ago. I've changed in the way I view time and how we spend it. I'm still working, don't worry. Just a little less diligently. Or maybe you should worry, that I still am.
I feel and believe that listening has become for me an imperative. In that I imply a deep and pervasive listening.
I've started observing the birds in my vicinity. We have mourning dove nest on our front porch and what I believe to be either purple or some other finch I can't remember on the back. I can recognize black-capped chickadee.
I want to remember the things we've lost. I want to know the plants I see, I want to know songs and stories to teach my child. I want to speak honestly without trying to dress up my words.
It's not so hard in application. It's a matter of letting go. I often feel the busyness of my mind and an impulse to do and make a mark in the day. It's a slow progression, but the more I am aware and listening to myself and everything around me, the easier it is to stop and enjoy a breath.
That is all I have a mind to say for now.
So I will try write more freely, without review or attempt at reconstruction. I'm witing this while at work. Something that is rather unusual and would have felt problematic maybe just a couple months ago. I've changed in the way I view time and how we spend it. I'm still working, don't worry. Just a little less diligently. Or maybe you should worry, that I still am.
I feel and believe that listening has become for me an imperative. In that I imply a deep and pervasive listening.
I've started observing the birds in my vicinity. We have mourning dove nest on our front porch and what I believe to be either purple or some other finch I can't remember on the back. I can recognize black-capped chickadee.
I want to remember the things we've lost. I want to know the plants I see, I want to know songs and stories to teach my child. I want to speak honestly without trying to dress up my words.
It's not so hard in application. It's a matter of letting go. I often feel the busyness of my mind and an impulse to do and make a mark in the day. It's a slow progression, but the more I am aware and listening to myself and everything around me, the easier it is to stop and enjoy a breath.
That is all I have a mind to say for now.
2.20.2011
So I've been running barefoot for nearly a year in Harrisburg, Pa. I've learned a lot and am interested in networking with others in the area if there is an interest. I would love to share my experiences with others who have also been barefooting or are interested in getting started. I'm not always out running, but you can catch me some evenings or afternoons along the river in Harrisburg. If you've come across this post and are interested leave me a comment and an email address and maybe we can meet up sometime.
6.30.2010
I don't like the progress. I don't like the highways. I don't like the heat. I sat at a friend's under trees and returned home to an oven. Do we really need the comfort of an air conditioner? It seemed easier before.
I don't like the mindless work. I don't like the waste. I don't like the artificial light. I walk outside and feel fresh, alive and well. Do we need the money, the cars, the phones, the garbage? I'm never fresh in a warehouse.
I like to walk. I like to breathe. I like to move where I wish when I wish. It seems pure and natural to be outside. Do we need the trees, the rivers, the air? I'm sick and weak and disconnected from all that I was meant to do and be.
I'm waking up slowly.
I don't like the mindless work. I don't like the waste. I don't like the artificial light. I walk outside and feel fresh, alive and well. Do we need the money, the cars, the phones, the garbage? I'm never fresh in a warehouse.
I like to walk. I like to breathe. I like to move where I wish when I wish. It seems pure and natural to be outside. Do we need the trees, the rivers, the air? I'm sick and weak and disconnected from all that I was meant to do and be.
I'm waking up slowly.
6.23.2010
Ignitable Drinking Water in Candor, NY, Above Marcellus Shale
I came upon a similar clip the other day and was shocked. I have since been doing research and came upon a growing battle between natural gas drilling companies and residents of small towns who list serious complaints about the effects of drilling. Living in PA it struck me that I should be concerned because a large number of new gas wells are being dug throughout the region. The new documentary Gasland is coming out and directly confronts the controversy. I haven't seen it, but think it should be important for anyone concerned with the safety of basic living to learn more about natural gas drilling and the effects it has on the local communities and environment. Hydro-fracturing is the method of gas extraction being used and is a good place to start to learn about the process. I think this a big deal, and so I would be silly not to share it.
6.21.2010
I really want to share the joy of recaptured imagination. The freedom of seeing the world as a kid again. The world is our playground. We can get hurt, but we get back up and learn from our mistakes. For so long I've struggled with the idea of private property. I cannot cross this fence for fear of my neighbors anger and litigation. Who owns a blade of grass? We can play. I truly believe that play is something we should never lose. Why climb a wall? Why not? I won't answer the hypothetical, I will answer the real. We live in too many boxes, so that we eventually have no room to breathe.
Give me back the openness
Or I will take it
So that I can offer it to you
Play with me
Or I will play alone
Why should I work
When I have all I need
I'll carry my load
When it's time to move
We used to move in amazing ways
I think I still can
Mind, body, heart
Give me back the openness
Or I will take it
So that I can offer it to you
Play with me
Or I will play alone
Why should I work
When I have all I need
I'll carry my load
When it's time to move
We used to move in amazing ways
I think I still can
Mind, body, heart
6.09.2010
You'll notice I'm starting to write more, and it's mostly out of enthusiasm for the things I'm doing and coming to an understanding of.
Generally, I feel a stronger presence of awareness in my day to day living. I notice that this right here is my life. There is no future or past that is as relevant as being where I am here and now. Mindfulness is a term I came across originally through the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh. In my own understanding, it is a practice of cultivating a mind and heart that lie anchored to the present moment. So there is no future to worry about or past to regret or be pained by when you can find yourself in the present. It would seem simple enough, but for me at least often proves very difficult. Meditation is a tool that helps me to come back to this mind and live more frequently in it. It's been a big part of my own evolution the past several years. Hopefully I'll find myself here more frequently. The Anthony De Mello link on the right is a great place to learn more if this sparks your interest. He is an amazing communicator.
Generally, I feel a stronger presence of awareness in my day to day living. I notice that this right here is my life. There is no future or past that is as relevant as being where I am here and now. Mindfulness is a term I came across originally through the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh. In my own understanding, it is a practice of cultivating a mind and heart that lie anchored to the present moment. So there is no future to worry about or past to regret or be pained by when you can find yourself in the present. It would seem simple enough, but for me at least often proves very difficult. Meditation is a tool that helps me to come back to this mind and live more frequently in it. It's been a big part of my own evolution the past several years. Hopefully I'll find myself here more frequently. The Anthony De Mello link on the right is a great place to learn more if this sparks your interest. He is an amazing communicator.
6.08.2010
Barefoot Running
You could say that generally I have started to become more active. I bike, run and practice Parkour throughout the week. I find that the extended time outdoors in activity is helping me to be more relaxed and present throughout the day.
Running is now a barefoot activity for me. I have been building up the pads on feet for the past month or so and am advised that it is likely to be another two before I my feet are fully at ease. For resources on why one might want to run barefoot see below.
http://barefootkenbob.com
Born to Run
Christopher McDougall
The basic idea behind it all is that I want to run injury free for a long time(hours and decades) and I want running to be activity that I enjoy as a movement: to see it not as a means to an end but as an end in itself.
Running is now a barefoot activity for me. I have been building up the pads on feet for the past month or so and am advised that it is likely to be another two before I my feet are fully at ease. For resources on why one might want to run barefoot see below.
http://barefootkenbob.com
Born to Run
Christopher McDougall
The basic idea behind it all is that I want to run injury free for a long time(hours and decades) and I want running to be activity that I enjoy as a movement: to see it not as a means to an end but as an end in itself.
6.06.2010
Parkour
I've recently been getting into Parkour. I came across a local Harrsiburg Parkour club and that was all I needed. It is a lot of fun. And I've discovered that there is a lot more going on with Parkour than just an awesome way to move.
12.09.2009
Class Pictures
Here are two pictures from my class. Arzika and Samba are both from Niger. They are wonderful students. They are learning about blogs and currently adding similar pictures to their own.
12.08.2009
Time to start writing again. We are in the final weeks of my computer class. Learning about blogs and such. Hopefully I'll be putting up some new cycling info. Looking forward to a cross country trip in the near future. So this site will hopefully become a place to report exciting developments in the lead up and eventual process of that ride.
6.09.2009
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