SIMPLICITY

No endeavor that is worthwhile is simple in prospect; if it is right, it will be simple in retrospect.

Edward Teller (1908-2003)
Physicist

NECESSITIES

Let your boat of life be light, packed with only what you need--a homely home and simple pleasures, one or two friends, worth the name, someone to love and someone to love you, a cat, a dog, and a pipe or two, enough to eat and enough to wear, and a little more than enough to drink; for thirst is a dangerous thing.

Jerome K. Jerome

MOUNTAIN HIGH!

I'm writing this on my Blackberry from the tip top of Copper mountain! I can't believe the majesty of Gods creation! It ignites the heart with a deep fire of gratitude - making me appreciate the beauty of my home state and the wonder and perfection of these mountains!

Last night, I had the fantastic privilege of dinner with a old friend whom I had not seen in many years. During that dinner we talked about issues we were struggling with and how they are affecting us - sometimes things seem overwhelming! But something about this magnificent and stunning view of the Rocky Mountains makes the severity of all those problems diminish (Jim agrees! He's up here with me). Looking out on a breathtaking landscape like this is soul-stunning and it melts away my myopic vision of life. Yes, the problems of our lives are important - they alter the course of our lives. But the enormity of these mountains, the beauty of the sun filtering through the golden Aspens, and the ghostly presence of the half moon hidden by a whisper of cloud send a spark of realization through my spirit. Anxiety and worry are enemies of the soul. And the magical beauty of this mountain empowers me to but those terrors down and enjoy the intoxication of wonder and awe. It helps to immerse yourself in the big picture sometimes. What joy!

LIFE WITHOUT DIFFICULTIES

"When we long for life without difficulties, life reminds us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure."

- Peter Marshal

DON'T HOLD BACK

Every day I live I am more convinced that the waste of life lies in the love we have not given, the powers we have not used, the selfish prudence that will risk nothing and which, shirking pain, misses happiness as well. No one ever yet was the poorer in the long run for having once in a lifetime "let out all the length of all the reins."

Mary Cholmondeley (1859-1925)
Writer

Glory

A tailor needs a torn garment to practice his expertise.
The trunks of trees must be cut and cut again
so they can be used for fine carpentry.
Your doctor must have a broken leg to doctor.

Your defects are the ways that glory gets manifested.
Whoever sees clearly what's diseased in himself
begins to gallop on the way.

~ Rumi
from the poem "Childhood Friends"