Opportunity for Kindness

Wherever there is a human being,

there is an opportunity for kindness.

Seneca

Of Note: My older sister, Marie, has always been the exemplar of this quote. Thus, her photos exude the quality of kindness, compassion and decency.

Today's Weather Report: Well, I was fooled by the morning sky yesterday. It rained twice with clouds that rolled in fast and furious. It's cool at the moment with a few fluffy clouds sprinkled throughout. This is a far cry from the 100 degree temps Marie is having in Texas.

Noblest Pleasure

THE NOBLEST PLEASURE IS
THE JOY OF UNDERSTANDING.

Leonardo DaVinci
15th century

Of Note: These are Marie's backyard zinnias in various stages of bloom. The white one has a surreal appearance when combined with the orange-red flowers--almost like it was superimposed.

Today's Weather Report: The weather station said rain was in store for us today. You could have fooled me--though, that is not hard to do sometimes when it comes to outside conditions. All I know, is that at this very moment, the sun is happy to be showing its bright face.

Steady Flow of Love

If you see good in people,
you radiate a harmonious
loving energy which uplifts
those who are around you.

If you can maintain this habit,
this energy will turn into
a steady flow of love.

Annamalai Swami

Of Note: Marie's moving sunset shot shows one manifestation of God's radiating energy on the physical plane.

Today's Weather Report: With all the cloud cover yesterday, not a drop of rain was shed. When the sun came out, which it did late in the afternoon, the humidity was a drencher. Today we are back to clear, sunny skies.

The Journey from One Mind to Another

The absolute truth cannot

be realized within the domain
of the ordinary mind.

And the path beyond
the ordinary mind,
all the great wisdom
traditions have told us,
is through the Heart.

Sogyal Rinpoche

Of Note: Red and Heart just go together. Wonder why. Marie caught what I think is an azalea earlier in the year when they were blooming down in Texas. It is one flower that I truly miss up here in the north woods of Wisconsin.

Today's Weather Report: Boy oh boy, we had quite a thunderstorm yesterday, but the sun peeked out around 7 pm. Today clouds blanket the sky, and it will surely rain--though the forecast says only a 30% chance.

Extinguishing the Lamp

Death is not putting out the light.
It is extinguishing the lamp
because the dawn has come.

Rabindranath Tagore

Of Note: If truth be told, this one of Marie's many glorious pictures of a sunset rather than a sunrise. But, when you think about it, our sunset is someone else's sunrise so we can just pretend and act "as if" this was a shot of a refulgent dawn, brimming with possibilities.

Today's Weather Report: The clouds are moving in smartly, and rain may be in the offing. Temps must be in the mid-70's because it feels neither hot nor cold, just right to quote Goldilocks of porridge fame.

Communion In One

Human pride and human greed
suffocate the spirit of generosity
and blind the yes of the soul
to its natural state of
Grace Through Sharing,
a Communion in One.

This is Humanity's current crisis
in its most elemental form.

Ginny DeAngelis
"Making Crisis Creative"

Of Note: Marie took this tranquil shot at the Dallas Arboretum in the spring. Its tranquility and its concomitant state of Joy is our natural state and the antithesis of crises.

Today's Weather Report: More sunshine and blue skies. This must be a record of days in a row of sunshine and no rain. Perfect summer weather--sit outside and picnic kind of stuff.

Source of a True Smile

The source of a true smile is an awakened mind.
Smiling helps you approach the day
with gentleness and understanding.

Thich Nhat Hanh
Peace Is Every Stop


Of Note: That's my Mom on one side of me and my daughter on the other. We all have aged a bit since this shot was taken by a willing waitress at a restaurant in Bayfield, WI a few years back. One thing that hasn't changed is my Mom ageless smile, and it is quite contagious when she's around--which she is today.

Today's Weather Report: More of the same--sunshine, sunshine, cool breeze. Bring her on. Perfect for a summer day.