Reflections

Same same but different is our Thai way.

As I took some processing time during the last days in South America, I thought of my usual way, expected way, familiar way of putting my thoughts about travel down to share with anyone who wants to read it and to remind myself of my life travels and lessons. In the past, I have had strangers comment..too long.. more pictures, less talk, etc. and I say...interesting... and my child bonny says...this is my travels, get your own life. Today will disappoint some but my body and energy doesn’t give me the tools to fuss with pictures and talk about what was presented to me. I am going to take some real time to talk about the venture, but it will not be my usual travelogue but reflections of many different aspects and parts that added to my bank of memories and elements that are just beginning to put perspective to my journey.

I am more convenience than ever, that life – people places thoughts are brought to our person so that we can get keys or tools to live our lives in a mindful, aware, and compassionate manner. Each is given opportunities and since we have free will, we can do with what is presented as we will. In some Buddhist monasteries, a beginner mind is asked... without language, memory, mind, interpretations, or expectations...what is happiness? As I got off the boat, left the forest, or reentered people that I needed to connect to and particularly when you step off the slower “boat” of your now world into the moving sidewalk of large crowds – and airports in NJ, I felt myself grabbing onto my inner wall and hanging on for as long as I could. Oh, I have so very much to learn about my own still point. As we passed through Chicago, I saw a woman on the “cushion” in the midst of it all... breathe in... Breath out... and the mist of calm fell on me. There is always a Now but there is also the choice to be on the Now treadmill reacting or Now walking...observe, reflect, take it or leave it... and be in the next moment to do the same.
At one point when I was on the boat, I watched a particularly interesting cloud formation, birds circling, and the shadows of the sea life swimming by. The boat was on an even crawl through relatively calm see.... I tried to open every part of me... hear the waves, small the water and air, feel the vibration, see everything in my horizon and squint to see more.... There was that ever so small slot of everything was awake and aware... and I hugged everything that was me and said... I am so blessed that this is the life I have allowed for yourself... felt the tears of respect for my effort and fortitude that at this age, I had put my fears behind me and allowed myself not to say...you are too old....you can’t swim...and this is the dawning of another new day...and it did not pass uselessly away.
When I went in to the cabin.. there were three boatmates reading novels....and I smiled and thought... same same (place and time) but different.