Oceans
I have a feeling that my boat
has struck, down there in the depths,
against a great thing. Continue reading “Looking for Spring”
Author: Dr. Bonnie Winfield
Death and Re-Birth
In my past writings and meditations, I find many entries on being re-born, of the rising of the Phoenix, and other images of starting a new. Continue reading “Death and Re-Birth”
The resurrection
Since moving to downtown Easton, I have been surrounded by Christian churches. Presently, my windows overlook the historic Trinity Episcopal Church. It is a magnificent stone edifice filled with grand arches, stained glass windows and lots of history. Continue reading “The resurrection”
Updates
Treatment Updates
My treatment plan includes four components: Hercepton (52 weeks), Chemotherapy (two cycles), surgery, and radiation. I will describe below an update on the first two; however, surgery and radiation will be determined in March and most likely will take place in May.
Sculpting a life
“Whenever anything happens within our awareness, our mind assigns it a meaning.”
~Jeremy Geffen, M.D.
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of his mind.” ~ William James
“Why me?” I ask myself. Continue reading “Sculpting a life”
Grandmothers
“When a child is born, so are grandmothers.”
~Judith Levye
The official date is December 23rd. That is the birthday of little Elle, my granddaughter. However, for me it was January 2nd, when I turned around at the baggage area in the Boston airport and first set my eyes on the little angel in the stroller pushed by my son, John. That was the moment that I fell in love at first sight with Elle and became a grandmother. Continue reading “Grandmothers”
Little Acts of Kindness
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch,
a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring,
all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ~Leo Buscaglia
I recently read that the task of life is to understand our minds and perform acts of kindness. I have been the recipient of kindnesses recently and would like to express my gratitude and share a few of them with you. Continue reading “Little Acts of Kindness”
Christmas Eve
“What arises out of that quiet mind, that moment when we let go?
If we’re ready, and the experience is deep enough,
what arises is compassion.” ~ Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara, Abbot, Village Zendo, NYC
I went to the Village Zendo to learn about compassion. I was spending too much of my time thinking about my self, feeling sorry for myself, longing for a different life. My self was the center of my world, like the axis that my life revolved around. I wanted to change that. I wanted to feel the interconnectedness that the Buddha taught. I could understand it in my mind. I could see the cause and effect of everything that happens including our thoughts and intentions. But I could not feel it in my heart. I was feeling very much alone. Continue reading “Christmas Eve”
Watching Law & Order
“Yet, this knowledge depended on a journey:
Sharpness of mind alone could never win it.”
~ Rumi
I decided to have my own Law and Order marathon yesterday. I don’t own a television so I am limited to what I can download on my MAC or order through Netflix. Even without a TV, I have three shows I watch either online or through I-Tunes: Law and Order, Charlie Rose, and Bill Moyer’s Journal. I have more than three seasons of SVU, CI and the regular Law and Order on my computer. It is a great escape. Continue reading “Watching Law & Order”
The path you take…
“Whatever life presents to you, that is the path you take.”
~Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara
“…everyday is a journey, and the journey itself is home.”
~Matsuo Bashi
In August, before my diagnosis of cancer, I came upon the most outstanding Zen teacher, Roshi Pat Enkyo O’Hara. I was doing a Google search for Tricycle magazine and I found one of her podcast videos. Continue reading “The path you take…”
Letters 