Even during my so-called ‘waking hours’, I sometimes seem to be not completely conscious – sort of dozy and dreamy -, but the universe itself is always conscious, always entirely awake. In fact, since I am an essential part of the universe, I, too, am always awake, just as a ripple in a flowing river is always flowing. I may occasionally seem, to myself, to be dozing along in a trancelike state, but actually I am as mindful as the always sensitive squirrels in our yard, as purposeful as the winds that waft and swirl among our trees. Truly, I can’t avoid mindfulness, because the universe that I belong to is an endless, always observant mind, or Mind, and its limitless alertness lives forever in me. I just need to wake up to that fabulous fact.
I’m not always aware of it, but I am rich – very rich, exceedingly rich, totally rolling in wealth. My fortune is not made of material goods, luckily for me, because they can crash and vanish as easily as raindrops. No, my wealth consists of boundless, indestructible treasures like love and patience and gentleness and acceptance and kindness. Today, I should walk like a prosperous gentleman, because that’s what I am – an 80-year-old guy who will receive – and can give – gifts of attentiveness and endurance and innovation all day long. If I can stay awake and aware of it, today, as on all days, I will live on easy street, spending limitless kindness and camaraderie wherever I am – walking on a sunrise road with my wife, washing plates and cups in the sink, shopping for my special apples and pretzels at McQuades. At every single moment today, I will be well-off beyond belief, flush with the shine of powers like love and goodness and brand-newness. Who knows? I might sometimes break into dancing as I spend my endless assets!
IN WEALTH
In Wealth, WA, USA,
there's prosperity in every moment,
even in sorrow,
which makes mounds of wisdom
for those who wait for it.
Even confusion has riches to bestow
when clarity comes back,
and hard work always shows
where treasures lie.
In Wealth, the true valuables
are kindness and caring,
of which there are mountains
in this little town's treasury,
and patience always produces resources
folks had never noticed before.
This town has cash hidden
in breezes and sunshine and shadows,
there are stacks of securities
called 'benevolence'
in every resident's portfolio,
and every street is called 'Easy'.
If you visit well-off Wealth,
you're in for a surprise,
for you'll discover how filthy-rich
you, too, have always been!
WORDS LIKE LIGHT
Saturday, October 9, 2021
AWAKE
Today – all day, every moment – I hope to be fully awake. In fact, I hope to actually wake up each moment, as if the life of the entire universe, including me, is starting over again and again, which, in a way, it actually is. Everything stirs and comes to life each moment – new breath for my lungs, a new feeling, a new thought, on my desk a tube of Elmer’s School Glue glowing in a brand new way. Today, the endless universe, life itself, will awaken over and over, moment after moment, and I will be part of that uninterrupted awakening. I actually can’t escape it. I just hope I can stay watchful for it, and fully appreciate the unceasing surprises.
RISE AND SHINE
Rise and shine,
the morning says,
and silence says it's ready to sparkle,
and the sky says it's the queen again,
and all your feelings
find new words to say.
Stay where you are,
the new day says,
and wonder why you are there,
and where everything starts,
and why stillness stays beside you
in peacefulness that never ends,
no matter how long you look.
Stand up and stay lit,
the morning says.
Might as well,
it says,
since everything's actually
a brand-new morning!
EVERYDAY MIRACLES: An Occasional Journal of a Life Lived in Wonder 