C-Virus: a time for gratitude & compassion

C-Virus: a time for gratitude & compassion

Someone sent me a poem that seems to capture the essence of the warrior commitment. Called “Birdfoot’s Grampa,” the poem is about a boy and his grandfather who are driving on a country road in a rainstorm. The grandfather keeps stopping the car and getting out to scoop up handfuls of toads that are all over the road and then deposit them safely at the roadside. After the 24th time he’s done this, the boy loses patience and tells his grandfather, “You can’t save them all / accept it, get back in / we’ve got places to go.” And the grandfather, knee deep in wet grass, his hands full of toads, just smiles at his grandson and says, “they have places to go to / too.” – Pema Chodron

There is something to be said about having to slow down and notice what’s around us. Small moments once taken for granted become important now as a quiet morning and a cup of tea. Walking with a friend – several feet apart – and instead of hugging, looking into their eyes and giving yourself a hug as to say, “Here’s a virtual hug”.

Suddenly there’s time for yourself to do some things you always wanted to do. Get in touch with friends who are far away. Zoom and stay connected.

For me, time to write. Completed a new edition of Heal Your Self with Writing and a  new book for all ages 4 and up, New Fables: Stories from Childhood  that, if all goes swimmingly, should be available on Amazon by early July 2020 in print, Kindle, and Audible for Heal Your Self with Writing is already up and True Fables by mid-July 2020.

Later in early August if not before, a new memoir, Buddha and the Dancing Girl on Amazon in print, Kindle, and Audible.

So expressing gratitude for the time ‘not teaching Way of Story workshops’ both here and abroad.

This means apart from being a writing teacher, I can be a writer.

Allowing compassion to get out my checkbook for those less fortunate and also donate to the upcoming Presidential campaign. Also more time with friends and neighbors.

Also time to work as a writing consultant, offer psychic readings, swim, walk, and read good books.

Years ago when my first long play, On the Edge, was being launched at the Aspen Playwrights Festival, I met James Salter the novelist who lived in Aspen. Though his fine novels remain, he has passed on. Yet thankfully, words live on. Here are some choice words of James Salter:

I’m too old to have a bad day.

I’ve worried about a lot of things in my life but most of them never happened.

If you can’t see what you’re looking for, see what is there.

The only things that are important in life are those you remember

                                                                                                        James Salter, Burning The Days

 

 

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