Time Flies

In seven days I will be at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.

I am filled with excitement and a bit of anxiety.

The Anxiety – My time at the retreat will be spent in silence. No phone calls or texts with my wonderful wife. I will not be able to sing to my girls or kiss there cheeks at night before bed. In stark contrast to my busy days at home and work I will have my days filled with concentration solely on myself – not an easy transition.

The Excitement – My time at the retreat will be spent in silence. No phone calls, emails, texts or work deadlines. I will have the time to be mindful of every moment of my day. I will have the time to be patient and slow my reactions. For many years I have contemplated such a retreat. I am finally doing it. I consider myself extremely privileged to have this opportunity. I have much to gain from this opportunity and I hope to share all that I can upon my return.

Namasté

A space for joy

I am a father to two beautiful girls and husband to a beautiful wife.

Much of my day is filled with work. What little time is left is held precious. So much wonder, amazement and joy my family brings. With everyday passing I find myself wanting more. Another snuggle and another kiss goodnight. One more story. One more nice day to go to the park. One more evening to laugh over dinner. I hold these as though they can be held.

Inevitably, this grasping to joy and happiness brings tension. When the joy is taken by work, bad weather, bad news, bad health, bad driving or bad planning and regret.

We all struggle. We all have suffering. With open heart and open mind I make the space for the inevitability of life and how precious our time is.

I slow my breath and open my heart. To allow for disagreement. To allow for tension. To allow for pain. To allow for grief. To allow for love. To allow for hope.

In the twinkle of a child's eye is the space to see all the beauty and joy of our world.

Namasté