Practice is not something you have to go to temple for. Practice is not something you need to sit and chant to do. Practice is not something you need robes for.
Sometimes the days suffering is more than we would prefer to deal with. But, there is something I’ve been thinking of a lot lately when this occurs. ‘Every day is a good day’. Sometimes work is difficult, bills stack up higher than Mount Everest, or your child decides to test your patience.

Practice is waking up in the morning, getting dressed, living your life and taking on it’s challenges head on; and yes, that is so hard to remember at times.

Take a second, look out the window, look in the mirror, look at your own hand, and observe. Today is a good day. Every day is a good day.

I bow with forehead to floor, palms facing up and thank my friend Jack for pointing me to this one:
http://zendirtzendust.com/2010/02/07/baring-my-neck-to-the-morning/

I bow with forehead to floor, palms facing up and thank all my Dharma friends for daily inspiration.

…joining palms

This weekend, my son and I went to the park and kicked around the ball for a good couple of hours. After a while we were a bit tired so we decided to take a rest in the shade.  I turned my back for a minute and by the time I looked at my son again, he was already sitting in the shade — half lotus.  This amazed me as he just did it on his own. So I of course just joined him. Can’t begin to describe what the wonder I experienced with that one.

Then, my wife took him to the Lego store where they have big tubs of blocks so you can build whatever you like.  I was at work but she sent me a picture of what he had built all on his own.  A temple. Again, amazement

I think the seeds of mindfulness appear to be taking root, and I am humbled. I have to admit, this is more encouraging to my practice than any Dharma talk I can imagine.

…joining palms