Secret of Success

I have found that the greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically puts the mind at ease. It is the ultimate source of success in life.

- H.H. 14th Dalai Lama

Wheee!

On the advise of a physical therapist, we got a Wii game console for Ethan, and have collected a few of the games that are appropriate for his age. What he needs is better lower body coordination, but so far we haven't been able to get him on the board. He's pretty good, though, with his hands, and likes to play the sword games in the Wii Resort set. He has pretty much one move, which is a downward slice, but he does it so fast that the little Miis he is playing never get much of a chance to hit him back. So, he's pretty good at that.

At first, he didn't want to have anything to do with it, and just watched Mommy and Daddy play. But, something clicked, and now he likes to play the games himself.

But we need to get him on the Wii Fit board. I think if he sees his parents playing on it, he will too.

In the meantime, I'm putting all the knives where he can't reach them.

Music in my head:Where or When, Diana Krall

New Year's Resolutions for 2010

First of all, let me start by explaining that 2010 is NOT the first year of a new decade. It is the LAST year of an old decade. So, we have to get through at least one more year of the worst decade since the 1930's. There was no year 0, so the first decade was the ten years of 1 to 10. So, first year of a decade always ends in a 1, and the last year of a decade ends in a 0. Don't blame me for the confusion - blame Pope Gregory XIII. An explanation can be found here (Warning - this linked page uses math).

So, here are my resolutions for 2010:

1. Lose weight. I am around 40 pounds heavier now than I was a year ago. Around June 1st I was still close enough to 200 that I vowed to reach that weight by Ethan's birthday (September 2nd). I failed. So, eat less, exercise more, eat smarter. (This is probably the number 1 resolution made in the US).

2. Complete a meds holiday. The medications I use to control headaches get less effective over time, so I have to take larger and larger doses. To counter that, I have to take medication holidays (funny word, that - it's no holiday) so that my body adjusts to a lower amount. This will probably take me through March.

3. Blog more. I have been blogging at about the rate I planned for Theme & Variations, but I've let this one slide. So, I gotta write more, and get more readers.

4. Sit more. My meditation practice has essentially stopped. I've got to get back to the cushions. I should probably do some of this at the Shambhala Center, as meditation is always better in a group.

5. Spend more time with Ethan. #2 makes that difficult, but I'll do what I can.

Looks pretty good, nothing too outrageous. Wish me luck!

Music in my head:, oddly, Speedball Tucker, by Jim Croce. Go figure.

PBS to Run Show on Meditation

Check it out on YouTube.

WEEKLY WORDS OF WISDOM on the World Wide Web chosen by Lama Surya Das

If there is anything I have learned about men & women, it is that there is a deeper spirit of altruism than is ever evident. Just as the rivers we see are minor compared to the underground streams, so, too, the idealism that is visible is minor compared to what people carry in their hearts unreleased or scarcely released. (Hu)mankind is waiting and longing for those who can accomplish the task of untying what is knotted, and bringing these underground waters to the surface.

--Albert Schweitzer

Inspired

While running errands this afternoon I listened to a live recording of Leonard Cohen performing in London. He is one of the greatest lyric/poetic writers of all time. And, as so often happens when I listen to him, or read him, I get inspired to write poetry, something I haven't done in too long a time.

What I need are subjects. Please go over to my Facebook page and suggest two potential subjects. The only rules are (1) No subjects that deal with politics/government, and (2) There must be two subjects suggested; why will become clear later. In return, I will compose a poem using those subjects. Current wives and ex-girlfriends get their poems first, just because I like gals more than I do guys.

Music in my head: I'm Your Man, Leonard Cohen

P.S. If you don't have and/or don't want a Facebook account, leave subject ideas in blog comments.

A Cowboy Church

Didn't know that such things existed, but I learned recently that a high school friend and her husband have started a Cowboy Church. It's on a Farm-to-Market road, no less.

Not being either of the faith nor anywhere near the vicinity, I doubt I'll mosey in anytime soon.

I wonder if a Cowboy Temple would work; leave your boots and guns at the front door, occasional vegan barbecues, pearl snaps on the robes.

We already have a Zen Cowboy, so, who knows?

Music in my head: The theme song from the PBS kids program Martha Speaks.