Sitting quietly, #2

Image - Sitting quietly itself
Sitting Quietly Itslef

A friend shared a book he was reading titled “Haiku” and I found this:

*”Sitting quietly, doing nothing,
Spring comes, grass grows of itself”

On the internet I found that haiku attributed to Matsu Bashio along with a commentary on doing nothing, just to be. However, I find the winds are not always still and to ‘just be’ not so easy.

I had just finished shoveling snow and raking the roof when I noticed the potted bamboo under the weight of the snow sitting quietly. The snow on the bamboo sitting quietly. And the barrel and dirt sitting quietly. It was then it occurred to me that the winds will always blow and that the practice is to sit quietly and ‘just be’ within them.

Right after I took this photograph, I pondered about changing the title to “Sitting quietly”.

*Reginald Horace Blyth (1952): _Haiku_, Tōkyō: Hokuseido pg.20

Jerry, #1

Image - Jerry
Tea with Jerry

I had a wonderful lunch with Jerry on Friday. I had never met Jerry before and he gave me a couple of wonderful gifts.

I was on my way to the coffee shop for some tea and reading during my lunch. I even thought I would work on this site (I brought my computer). However, when I sat down, Jerry said, “Hello.” He mentioned he was researching dirt bikes for a ride he wanted to go on. He shared much more about the ride and research, his work on metal sculpture and being a mechanic (look at those hands) and other stories from his past, but this was not the only thing that struck me. Another was the radiant energy of his joy and the kindness he expressed. In that moment I let go of my “to do” list and listened, instead of clinging to the plan I had in store for the hour. There was a lightness the rest of my day .

Number two, I got this wonderful portrait.

The thunder silenced
joyful splashing playful waves
nothing up or down

Thank you Jerry,

Joe

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