revolutions

the year 2016, like these winter days,
will bring unknown gifts and challenges.
we will need to be adaptable and flexible as we face a society and world
that is growing ever more stubborn, opinionated, and inflexible.
for this reason I want to suggest that the only resolution we make
is to abandon new year’s resolutions.
they cause more angst and misery than accomplishment and happiness.
they narrow our focus and give rise to unnecessary resistance.
instead of resolving to be someone different
or accomplish something special,
let’s go into each new day of the coming year expecting to be surprised.
let’s keep our balance, our flexibility, and our natural adaptability.
let’s dance when the music plays;
work when the tasks arise;
laugh and cry with ease;
hold no stubborn opinions;
and accept whatever comes as being the raw material
of something new we never dreamed that we could do.
this is all the world asks or needs of us.      
                                                     ~ bill martin

all that said..
and i do agree wholeheartedly..
there are two revolutions i would 
very much like to intend and cultivate..

gossip no gossip
listen deep listening

reb anderson.. a past abbott of the sf zen center
said that whenever anyone came to him with a
problem about another person..
his immediate question was:
have you spoken with them about this?
if you have not, you have no business coming to me -
if you have, i will be a witness..a listener..a mediator ..
per chance to give you both the opportunity to be heard..

i like the sound of this so much 
and ..  am shocked at how much i 
may speak divisively about another ..
so..
gossip no gossip  # 1

listening is a life skill..
deep listening is communion..
hearing what is in out around and about
what is actually being said..
being silent enough in my own mind
to listen, to hear..
rather than gearing up to spin out my pat answer,
advice, a story of my own..

guilty as charged and then some..
so..
listen deep listening #2

this is about all i can  muster and plenty
to stay in keeping with bill's suggestions..

~ dancing when the music plays ~
now that is the easy part..

brilliance, delight, mirth and grace for these days ahead !