snowglobe

This morning Ben's bus didn't come. It was a bitter feeling, cold, slushy, cars rushing around us. By the grace of god another parent showed up to drive the kids to school. It felt like this could not be a good morning to go be with my willow. But I put on my sweater and my big boots and I went.
When I got there it was magic. The sun was hitting the spot in such a way that the cold was broken and I was just warm enough to stand forever if I wanted. The pond was empty and the light snow that was falling was infused with warm mid morning light. I watched the pond and absorbed the space and stillness. Then I sat for a while and watched the bright pieces of snow dance around.
Last night Ben and I discovered a snow globe that my mother had bought him last christmas. When you turn a switch a lamp comes on, switches colors, occassional a mechanical buzz indicates that the glitter is being stirred. It's quite pretty and fun in the evening. And I caught ben reading by it this morning. It's magic. But not as magic as this lovely moment in the park was for me. So easy to stay in the present moment when the present moment so lovely. I'm realizing now more and more the importance of getting outside for meditation. I can carry this moment inside of me all day, and in a certain sense all my life.

Winter Willow

There's a light snowstorm this morning. I went out to the park to sit beneath my willow tree. It's winter so of course the leaves are gone. But the drooping branches, so many, protect me from the wind and snow. I feel the power in stillness. I feel a deeply rooted cool as I stare out over the snow covered pond. I will nurture this feeling everyday and it will keep me safe from the change and the challenges and the anger of the people who surround me. It will help me to ease their anger and bring peace and power into their lives.
We focus so much on the brain and not nearly enough on the trunk. As though the source of the tree's strength is its leaves and its tiny branches. But the core of the tree's strength is nothing we can see. That's where its magnificence lies, not in its branches, but in its roots.