Let difficulty transform you. And it will. In my experience, we just need help in learning how not to run away.

~ Pema Chodron ~

it is flag day and i imagined early this day of celebrating today as 99 days until International Peace Day and i have along with another day in a string of so many that dynamic flux is upending the world; let’s listen again to Pema…

…”But it’s not impermanence per se, or even knowing we’re going to die, that is the cause of our suffering, the Buddha taught. Rather, it’s our resistance to the fundamental uncertainty of our situation. Our discomfort arises from all of our efforts to put ground under our feet, to realize our dream of constant okayness. When we resist change, it’s called suffering. But when we can completely let go and not struggle against it, when we can embrace the groundlessness of our situation and relax into its dynamic quality, that’s called enlightenment, or awakening to our true nature, to our fundamental goodness. Another word for this is freedom—freedom from struggling against the fundamental ambiguity of being human.”

~ Living Beautifully with Uncertainty and Change ~

may we all open to living beautifully and gracefully with what is – uncertainty and change – trusting in great mystery’s impeccable flow of the implicate order…

let’s close this sacred space of ceremony with the blessing we began reciting 12 days ago into the sacred fire within, the inner light of great spirit residing in all our relatives: may this day be blessed with gifts, lessons, understanding and friends… may our energy be a gift to all we meet… let us be centered, healing and open facing the day with courage, kindness, insight and compassion… may we honor this day…