As Spring Grows Near - Reflections on Self and Society

Hooray! Yellow flowers have appeared. Warm air has come again. Grateful to be alive for another spring on planet Earth!

BMT and I enjoyed being poll greeters during the recent primary election. Our family gathered this week to celebrate her birthday on a rooftop surrounded by mountains. Friends and family members sent her heartfelt love notes which are consolidated into a booklet. She is now writing a science fiction novel on AI in a senior community!

My latest interview was released today. I enjoyed speaking with Gissele on the podcast of the Canadian Maitri Centre for Love and Compassion. Here is the interview: https://maitricentre.com/blog-podcast/

I am still working on my new book with current title Reflections of a Mindful Elder: Compassionate Actions for Earth, Society and Body-Mind. I just sent a copy of my book A Compassionate Civilization to NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani who is creating a compassionate city and to Rep. James Talarico, US Senate candidate from Texas, who wants to catalyze a country based on love of neighbor.

I am enjoying advising one of my former NYU Wagner grad students who is working on an important research project on international education development. I have contacted people in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Jordan asking them to work with him.

My earlier interview this year on Democratic Perspective Broadcast is also online. This spring, I look forward to read some of my poems at Highland Lake Cove in Flat Rock, NC, and to help conduct a resiliency workshop in our neighborhood in Swannanoa, NC. This summer, I am happy to speak to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Swannanoa Valley in Black Mountain, NC.

I currently have 101,780 views of my FB posts over the past 28 days. This is the first time being over 100,000. Grateful to touch hearts and minds around the world with mindfulness and compassion, and to dialogue with dear friends.

Yesterday, I had a moral moment. I had driven to a Latino food truck not far from our home to pick up shrimp tacos for dinner for BMT and me. I was sitting in the car waiting for the order and a lady appeared at the car window. She asked if I would drive her to Black Mountain so that she could pick up her medicine. I said that I was sorry but that I didn’t live in Black Mountain. She then went to two other cars asking for help. Why didn’t I help her?

Yes, I was taking food home for my wife. Yes, I didn’t know her. Yes, I was not sure I should do that not knowing what was really going on. I then began to doubt my response. Why didn’t I help her. Why didn’t I ask if she was hungry. I could have bought her something to eat. Why didn’t I ask her where she lived and how she was doing? I drove home and told B about it. I have forgiven myself, but next time I will be more engaging and helpful.

And a related memory from eight years ago: My seven year old granddaughter touched my heart today. As we drove along we saw a man on the roadside with a sign asking for help. I told her that I didn’t have any cash. She said that I could give him my credit card. When I told her that wouldn’t work for him, she said that she could give him her earrings of pearls and gold. As we turned the corner, I couldn’t stop.

After asking why we couldn’t stop, she said that everyone should have money to live and be happy, and that everyone should have a house. I agreed and said that everyone also needs an education and healthcare. She agreed. I said that she and I would work on making these things happen. Again she agreed. In gratitude, sorrow, and renewed commitment. She is now on the student council in her school - a compassionate leader in the making.

Well, that is some of my news. What about you?

And then there is what is happening in our country and world including a tragic, misguided war with Iran spreading throughout the Middle East, the Epstein files full of harmful behaviors, unregulated artificial intelligence, and much more. Grieving the suffering in Iran and the Middle East. May we humans wake up and care for each other and for the living Earth. May it be so.

Why would authoritarians, the military-industrial complex, the fossil fuel industry, big tech and religious fundamentalists be in favor of bombing Iran and without Congressional discussion and approval? May we humans let go of greed for wealth and power and care for each other and the living Earth.

Please don’t let anything or anyone keep you from living your precious life in gratitude, happiness and kindness. Some people believe that money and power are worth more than truth and justice. They are so wrong. Between the whiplash of “things are going to the dogs” and “things are really looking up” falls the shadow and the light - the shadow of unknowing and the light of gratitude.

May we practice the Four Immeasurables each day: 1. Loving-kindness (mettā): The desire for others to have happiness. 2. Compassion (karuṇā): The wish for others to be free from suffering. 3. Sympathetic Joy (muditā): Rejoicing in others’ happiness and successes. 4. Equanimity (upekkhā): An impartial, balanced mind free from attachment or aversion.

Please take good care of your body-mind and everyone you can. We are in the midst of multiple crises, any one of which would be enough: climate disaster, ecocide, oligarchic fascism, unregulated artificial intelligence, a world war, wealth hoarding, misogyny, and more. Breathe in and out, in love and gratitude. May all beings everywhere realize peace, happiness, understanding and compassion.