Getting back into the swing of it.

Last vestige of the original farm, two blocks from my home
7:15am, January 8, 2007

This begins the first whole or real work-week of 2007. Difficult weekend, turmoil reflecting on my reactions and lack of thoughtful responses. What strikes me most is the coating of strained pride I put on some of those actions, which on reflection merely emphasizes what difficult and awkward experiences they were. My prayer today was to follow the moment forward and to allow me the compassion to touch these experiences in the present with wisdom. I am fortunate for all the good things I have, like the pleasure of walking to the BART station instead of driving on such a beautiful morning, and the pleasure of that simple, tangible nugget of the past in my neighborhood which I can touch with my eyes, heart and mind when I pass if I wish.

Home for a couple of Oakland street friends and their neighbors
10:00 am, January 8, 2007

An opposing scene is this view, from BART, of the freeway overpass in Oakland where a couple of street friends have lived for quite a while. I know that one of the two have recently removed themselves from this scene, but I'm not sure whether the other has left. From what I see and know, there about 10-15 people living here, mainly up the embankment on the ledge below the overpass. It is very cold out now and nights must be an extreme challenge. For most, this is a choice above the alternatives.

"We can’t fix the problems of the world, but we may deepen our practice."
Robert Fripp

Today I am powerless and my life has become unmanageable. But I am willing to believe there is a power greater than myself that can restore me to sanity. I could release my grip and turn my will and life over to the care of that higher power.