Re-Gain

                            My Work is that of Conservation Our current opportunity is to be more ingenious.  Let's learn from America's most clever champion.  George Washington Carver, was a leader in American resource conservation. Few people in history practiced the idea of thrift by conservation better than George Washington Carver; his philosophy was " Throw nothing away, everything can be used again ." Many knew Carver as the "peanut man" because he transformed this legume into a major agricultural product, but few recognized his greater achievements. Besides the 300 products he developed from peanuts and 118 products from the sweet potato, he developed many new products from waste materials, including recycled oil, and paints and stains from clay. Throughout his life he practiced the ethic of preservation, inventing the science of ersatz, or substitutes. Born into slavery in 1864, orphaned, then ...

When go to the source of my emotional pain this lessens it. Saying yes to whatever arises I lighten up.   Being mindful allows me to embrace how mindless I am. I realized appreciatively to  proceed by being kind to myself. Yes we wired to be "there" instead of being "here."  My  l ife experience brings both the meaning in present regardless if its pleasant or not.   In some of my darkest times I seek in another form of hereness- listening.  Also both stillness and insight is a priceless journey. Thoreau exemplified this by stating; Direct your eye inward, and you will find a thousand regions in your mind yet  undiscovered. Travel them, and be an expert in home-cosmography. I lessen  my suffering and tap greater freedom with such introspection. Thoreau recognized  simple contemplation.  Travel is a matter of perspective, not location.  For over 31 years I’ve lived alone in the woods and profoundly experienced this. I came 100...

Attention is the beginning of devotion,” the poet Mary Oliver wrote in her final collection of essays.  W e are entering the Darwin Awards since our lack of attention destroying future prospects.  Showing up insure our grandchildren's well being is our number one priority. Never in our history have we more distractions and less wisdom.  While never has more brilliant people lived right now our collective behavior is more mindless than ever.  This is an age of intellectual dishonesty and emotional disability since we ignore our reckless ignorance. Without some honest evaluation of how we can best focus on our future by lessening our impact our very existence will be in question. Awakening to the shortages of fresh water, food and excess people are just of the few indicators of such a conclusion.  Other ecological and economic circumstances support that in years to come sustaining humans will be increasingly dismal. Given such a bleak future picture how can each o...

For over 50 years I have observed trillions of dollars of government waste. For example a resort I once worked for got $400,000 in Covid relief money even though they had their most profitable year.  Axel van Trotsenburg, senior managing director of the World Bank, recently stated . "If we could repurpose the trillions of dollars being spent on wasteful subsidies and put these to better, greener uses, we could together address many of the planet's most pressing challenges.  Such abuses include; *Fraud: Our government loses countless taxpayers dollars from fraud and abuse. *Corporate subsidies: The government wastes hundreds of billions of dollars in unnecessary subsidies to corporations each year. *Inefficient healthcare spending: The U.S. has one of the highest healthcare spending rates per capita in the world, yet still has poor outcomes compared to other developed countries. * Defense spending: The United States spends more on national defense than any other country b...

Today on the East coast the air is toxic due to wildfires puting 115 million Americans at risk.   In the mid 70’s I was at G.W. University studying Environmental Economics. This class gave me insight on how we know the price of everything and the value of nothing. Is humanity now entering a collective Darwin Award era? We have monetized everything while ignoring our very future since we have not valued our earth. Recently a fantastic book came out called Price the Priceless by Paula DiPerna.  Check out this amazing interview-  https://youtu.be/afpMLp0zY0s Ms. DiPerna cites the importance of an eco-services assessment of our natural systems.   She states the value of our World’s GDP is about over $125 trillion dollars.  Since collectively we have not priced carbon this planet is the most unpaid or underpaid worker here.  We invest more than $40 trillion in pension funds while our future investment in the Earth is very minimal. Without some type of glob...

What riches come from being curious.  Such wonder in examining life brings many benefits.  Being mindful allows me to embrace how mindless I am. I realized appreciatively to  proceed by being kind to myself.  Life experience brings both the meaning of “present.” Being here now and the  gift I find from this hereness. Thoreau exemplified this by stating; Direct your eye inward, and you will find A thousand regions in your mind. Yet  undiscovered.   Also Thoreau believed those of lesser means, because they are the least tied down by  material possessions, have an increased opportunity to live a higher existence.   Cultivating the wonder of virtue I explore inner ways to go forth.  May all of us be curious with the questions below! 1) Are you uniting or dividing?  2) Does receiving result when you start giving? 3) How do you best show your gratitude? 4) Do you find happiness being of benefit? 5) Where do you find awe? Within, outs...

I have 24 more visits to go to radiate my prostate cancer. Now in my Autumn years I try openly to see my future. Being closed minded darkens my outlook. Cultivating greater fearlessness enlightens me to new possibilities and potential. My mental and physical health are interconnected.   Courting triumphant disaster my hormonal hot flashes sweats are my new angst.  Embracing the temporary nature of these aliments allow me greater learning. Embracing the whole catastrophe I merge into cosmic consciousness. Remembering it is not just my pain however the world's I find harmony.  Our shared mental health crisis challenges us to address the reality facing us. When I don't get so identified by both my crazy thoughts and our world events I lessen my turmoil. I am just a visitor sharing our collective stardust. This allows me to let go of this since my chaos will self organize.  Discerning what I can control allows to further let go- c areful to heal and not hurt...

My well being is tied to my acceptance of what is. Profound wisdom comes from my discernment how I can cultivate virtue.  A more accepting attitude allows me to transform any troubling situation as a transitory teacher.  Yes it is challenging to deal with what is happening. However, what do I expect?  Less expectations allow me greater possibility.  Such a resilient and enduring mind-set liberates. Expanding my awareness allows me to lessen my resistance and best deal with whatever circumstances arise.  When I demonstrate a wiser example I find greater purpose. Also this aligns my deeds with acts increases potential.   For example, leaving things better then I found them demonstrates how responsibility triumphs.  Also  kindness provides me radical self-care. Mindful of more respectful responses I foster responsible action. In turn this greater care liberates me.   Acceptance and "being the change" frees me since this micro intention...

Everyday I have a profound love affair with my woods. Today on my birthday I had a tree-mendx time in my beloved forest.  When I extend reverence for my world I feel gratifying reciprocity.   My caring Earth provides me with beneficial self care . When I allow my best  affects it offers me better effects.  My inner climate changes for the better!!! The earth teaches us  how to better relate and connect. Either we can sustain or drain-  its a liberating choice.  When my shipwreck mind transforms into a Love Boat mindset I change this toxic infection into loving  affection. I unify not defy nature when I honor it. Less is more. May I continue to respect this priceless place as valuable and vulnerable.  We are apart of a  cosmic stock market called Gaia,  all shareholders.   All recycled back  into air, water, apart of our shared earth. I address today's climate weirdness by seeking the eye of this hurricane.  Pictu...

Shortly I will be getting radiation to treat my prostate cancer.  Also I will utilize the natural light of starshine to heal me. This week of April 15th is International Dark Sky Week to bring awareness regarding light pollution.  83% of people live in light polluted areas and 99% of Americans and Europeans live in this artificial illumination. More than a third of humanity and almost 80% of North America can no longer see the Milky Way. Starlight is becoming endangered, affecting both wildlife and humans. Our population lives in a very electrified world with over two-thirds of the world’s population living in a light polluted area. About 40% of us at night face perpetual light and 25% experience artificial twilight that exceeds the illumination of the full moon. We are all children of the stars!   93% of the mass in our body is stardust originating from giant  red stars by the Big Bang 5 billion years ago. We share 97% of the same ...

Let the beauty you love be what you do - Rumi Quiet your mind, listen to your heart. There are millions of ways to embody compassion. For example become a spiritual stock broker investing in the well being for all things . We are all shareholders in this world. What is your  “Happiness Sharing, Fun Raising potential?  Keep your eye on a ball of loving kindness. We live on a cosmic merry go-round where what goes around, comes around. Engage with reverence and gratitude fostering a cyclic loop I term “happy returns." Keep that ball of love in the court of possibility and new purpose. Explore happiness sharing fun-raising purpose, potential and possibilities. We have a choice in the world: we can suffer or invest in our better collective well being. Address the horrific climate weirdness- transform a tragedy into a comedy of survival.  Show respect leading by example lighting your candle of compassion enlightening the way.   One option is to embrace a more sus...

I have tremendous appreciation for those who serve.  Whether they are in the health, education, or however they contribute for the better. So many people contribute priceless beneficial service with little or no compensation.    Being of service reflects my gratitude.  Personally, I have given thousands of volunteer hours to return my thanks preserving resources.  My father spent most of his life crafting Congressional legislations to aid others.   His and others example  profoundly inspired me by their selfless compassionate acts.  Growing up in Washington D.C. I got to witness both the haves and those who do not.   Over a decade ago I was honored visiting with a Lakota medicine man .  When I realized we’re both the same age I reflected my luck  of being born into prosperity. Especially when we both visited each others homes. However having lots of stuff does not always result with well being. For me wealth comes from a ...

  RE-Lighting Cultivating humor re-lights me with a light touch for all things.   Such humor liberates me from being so dense. Re-lighting uplifts me from my funny life lessons where I may see and accept my shortcomings.  I become braver to see the blessing in any of my curses.  Transmuting the negative with the positive I awakened to new possibilities. Re-lighting celebrates my virtues and liberates self-punishment when I silence my inner self talk. Re-lighting creates a more tranquil flow with life's adversities. This is a profound exercise of respectfully observing the sacred interconnection of all things.  T hen my heart awakens to a fearlessness beyond my deepest phobias.  Re-lighting brings an expansive quality with a profound heartfelt shift.  “Hereness" reminds me to ignore external outcomes so as to further cultivate my genuine being.   As I lightened my internal baggage I tr...

Recently I learned that I have prostrate cancer. For many years my dermatologist has been removing this from my skin. In my recovery may I honor each day as my last. My priceless experiences comes from this celebrating what I been given. How better may I address my mortality then to Face Everything and Recover. When I Frick Everything and Run this other FEAR fosters little repair of my despair. It is challenging to deal with what is happening. Climate change profoundly terrorizes me. First addressing my inner conflicts best allows me to accept outer events. My way out of disaster is to triumph by accepting within. When I become more tolerant this attitude of gratitude renews me.  Such a resilient mindset liberates me. Acceptances frees me to whatever circumstances arise.   Fearless insights liberates me from my selfish emotions.  When my deeds and values align I find harmony. Being of greater service also gets me out of my victimhood. Kind acts heals me. Exce...

The Dali Lama says the purpose of our life is not adding to the problems of this world. Impacting nature, or other things requires minimizing so to achieve greater meaning. Lessening -KISS , Keep It Simple Sweetheart! First people’s beliefs were and are closely tied to earth. In China there is a term called one wanwu. All things in nature merge into one body. The beauty of wanwu is seen in a watershed bringing us to a spiritual core. Chi reveals the divine connection within all things. The Earth, Sky and Heaven inhabits all of these mystical and magical realms. The Taoist see kenosis as a source of true power.  When we impose ill will on others and nature terrible things happen.  Many of us are eager to achieve spiritual enlightenment of some kind but often don't realize that this entails a loss of the self or a higher service.  Many of us are too distracted to discover what has heart and meaning. KISS the earth. Treating all life with reverence cause spontaneous compa...

As a baby boomer I am blessed to have enough savings to retire. Looking at my golden years I hope to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.  How can I leave something that adds or benefits? Regardless of the fate of we humans planting seeds for the future is my wish.   Are we in a comedy or tragedy of survival?  Now that I am on Medicare I remember barely seeing my Dad as a child. He was working overtime with Congress to legislate this and other Social Security bills.  As a young tennis player I got to travel the region. Becoming a tennis teacher in the off season I embraced preventing pollution as my salvation.  To serve in tennis is the critical and all about the toss.  Like toilet training it is imperative to get it in.  Keeping ball in the court is the key. I even played on the Capitol Hill tennis team that my Dad helped form. In 1980, I was the D.C. and national Earth Day organizer.  Six years before I wrote a high school environmental ...

F or 2023 may I be kind and remember to play.   Kindness always is of benefit.  It is like gratitude--a gift that keeps giving.  Being blessed cleans up my greater mess  Yes loving friendly acts awakens me to enthusiasm Respond rather than react--Take a breath — Be a PRO - Pause, Relax and Open  Laughing is so much better than crying so may I lighten up  Kindly-become a champ not a chump  May I champion each moment with peace, love and joy  May I be gentle with myself - kindly mindful of my mindlessness KISS spells Keep It Simple Sweetheart!!!  More play, less crap & more fun - is my MAP Mindfulness at Play! Be Free- Respond with ability is being responsible So kindly may I quiet my mind and listen to my heart.  May I be of greater benefit for 2023!!

As a baby boomer I am blessed to have enough savings to retire. Looking to my golden years with the acceleration of environmental decline.  Will the human race end sooner rather than later? Are we in a comedy or tragedy of survival?  Now that I am on Medicare I can vividly remember infrequently seeing my Dad in my childhood. He was working overtime with Congress to legislate this and other Social Security bills. Years ago I embrace being a comic rather than a tragic figure.  Laughing and crying are closely aligned.  As a young tennis champ I got a passport to travel and meeting supportive people. Becoming a tennis teacher in the off season I embraced preventing waste as my salvation. However I found out trying to save things is like Don Quixote attacking the windmill. Use it or lose it personifies why I am very skeptical. Does ending trumps mending? Forty-three years ago I was the D.C. area and national Earth Day organizer. Before that in high school I wrote a pap...

When I listen to my heart it creates “Here-ness”. This is a radical way to exercise self love and virtue. There are many diverse ways for me to explore this compassionate place. When I quiet my mind, and listen to my heartbeat I cultivate this priceless experience. This is a sacred gift I give to myself. Also this portal of a higher power allows me to be of greater service. Mindfully heart-fullness is the courage to fully show up to even the most horrific life events. Exploring my deepest emotions gives me the opportunity to see how the opposites balance each other.  Joy counters sadness, love redirects anger, hope overcomes despair. Heart-fullness gives me a perspective to see both sides and proceed on right down the middle. Such appreciative inquiry lessens my judging mind.  Also I find myself being more gentle and friendly to whatver arises including my cruel inner critical  voice. EE Such observations shifts me from becoming to a being or more proactive perspective. I...