Fred, my first true love and one of my oldest friends, is a human magnet for animals in need of love and better homes. It seems they just "find him" on his daily runs and random adventures in the city.

Over our 30 years of friendship, I have witnessed many loving rescues, and this is one of the sweetest. Tiny kitten, Huckleberry, 2 months old(ish) was living in a truck yard by the LA river. Thanks to Fred's special nurturing, ongoing feeding, a sweet ad for "durable" kitty, a random act of kindness, and the amazing power of Facebook, Huckleberry is now safe, happy, and healthy and hanging out in the grass in a cat foster home while waiting for new parents. Maybe it’s you?

On New Year’s Day, I returned to a parking lot and discovered the rear corner bumper of my car had randomly been crunched—ouch. Not even a random note that said,“I hit you and, oops, I am sorry?” As a self-proclaimed "waver" and a huge believer in karma, I was more than a little irked and disappointed.

I had come to "embrace my dent" each time I saw it without getting angry, and unlike myself, I decided to live with and love it until it was convenient to get it fixed. Yesterday I had a minute so I took it to a body shop to get the dreaded repair estimate: “…not an easy repair and blah blah blah..."$1180". Bam! The anger is back.

Today - for a variety of reasons - I woke up with a calm, different awareness and ability to flow with and accept all the seeming chaos in the/my world right now, and I embraced it, like my dent.

This afternoon, a very kind and professional man randomly showed up at my home and told me he could fix it right there in an hour for 10% of the estimate I received yesterday. There must be a catch. Nope..I checked him out; he was more than legitimate, and he proceeded to do an incredible job with a sweet, nurturing energy and smile. 

The power and lesson of letting go were made visible to me today. Always grateful for perfect synchronicities and seeming mishaps with happy endings.

An unexpected perspective shift in Varanasi, India... the holy Ganges River serves as a morning laundry for many, with entire families pounding and pelting their laundry in the river before carefully laying it out on the Ghats (steps) to dry.

The repetition, pattern, and color laid out everywhere quickly become an inspiring and artful scene, and it is clear to the observer that laundry is not merely a task but a sort of meditative practice. I have a new appreciation for the beauty in laundry. Thank you, India.

If 2012 was a door…

I bet it would look like this pretty amazing one in Jodhpur:

grand and substantial in scale
and shape
bright and rich in hue and texture
clearly appreciated
beautifully adorned with lots of
thoughtful detail
the promise of more beauty
just through the door and
down the hall…

I have always been a big fan of fresh starts and new beginnings, and the first week of the new year is always sweet with possibilities.

May all your doors and new beginnings be this special.

A pretty sweet message to bring into the new year, especially given the location in Kolkata, India, where superhero references are not an everyday occurrence.

I woke up to the terrifying sound of my huge oak tree whipping against my roof and house in the sudden severe windstorms we had in Los Angeles this week. I got up and kept an anxious watch (but wanted to hide under the bed)  as the power lines snapped and sparked around the street and the extreme wind gusts made intense howling sounds I hope never to hear again. In the morning, the entire neighborhood and area were out early surveying our homes, yards, and cars and openly sharing our experiences of fear from the night before, even though many were total strangers that just happened to live on our street. 

Many had extreme damage. Huge trees were literally uprooted and now lay across cars, houses, and streets, and it was a shocking and emotional scene. We all skipped our usual morning routines (no power makes that pretty easy) and got to work on cleaning up with a sense of comradery and purpose I had not experienced before. It turned out to be an incredibly sweet day and experience despite the seeming chaos and devastation, and it still fascinates me that within this random weather twist there was a huge perspective shift for all. I am grateful for the simple reminder that we really are all in this together and appreciate the magic and convenience of electricity in a way you only can after you lose it for awhile.

This bit of profound and charmingly misspelled wisdom was scrawled on the red cliff walls leading to the Mehrangah Fort in Jodhpur, India. There are several spots where these mindful messages are painted in Sanskrit and English throughout the drive—a sweet reminder and more inspiring than a typical billboard.

I just returned from an amazing trip to India, where I was exposed to a way of life and way of being I could previously only imagine. We wandered and discovered all kinds of people, places, and things, and the joy, harmony, and peace that we found in utter chaos at every turn continues to inspire and amaze me.

Everywhere we went, the perfect guide appeared and enthusiastically led us through areas we would not have had access to or felt comfortable with. This particular day we were wandering happily, although somewhat lost,  looking for the tannery in the slums of Dharavi when a perfectly dressed, handsome young man adopted us. Abdul Jawwad was thrilled to show off his great English and showed us around while giving us the real deal on the culture as he took us to the tannery. There, he was eager to talk and asked great questions about our lives. He was compelled to get out his brand new laptop (which his family had saved up for six months) because he wanted to share his dreams with me.

I was blown away by his clarity, drive and enthusiasm to share so happily and openly what to most would be considered unachievable dreams given the conditions we were standing in. He had a profound impact on me, and I have no doubt that he will achieve everything on that list... and much much more.

by Dr John Talevich

At the beginning of May, I found myself in Seattle participating in Antioch University's 35th Gala. My daughter-in-law, Jessica, is an intern in their art therapy program and had asked me to design a mandala for the faculty to construct at the event; she also asked if I might have a few pieces of art to submit to the art show. Having said yes to both requests, here I was, surrounded by some 400 folks and having a good time celebrating the university's success. The Susan Wallis-designed art form which was used in the faculty event became a stunning piece of work, now belonging to the school's permanent collection and on display at the university.

As the evening wore on, and the crowds began to dwindle, I was face to face with a young lady of a certain age (I don't want to insult her) who may well still be playing with dolls. She asked me with clear eyes and a clearer intent: "Is that yours?" pointing to a piece called Piggyback Frog, I said, "Yes, that's one of mine," She continued, "It's my favorite," while her eyes widened. "Well," I replied, "if it doesn't sell by the end of the show in a month, you can have it. How about that?" Her mother soon came up and asked me if, in fact, I said what she'd been told. "Yeah, that's what I told her." I gave them my card and told them to call me when the show was over. I did not think further about getting a call.

Well into the first weeks of June, I had heard nothing. Then - a call on my office machine: "Hi John, this is Ruby - do you remember at the … (mother’s voice in the background: “Antioch art show”) … yeah, when we were talking about (Mother again: “your art piece”) … and you said if it didn’t sell that you would (Mother: “talk about it”) …yeah and our number is …. bye”. Wait!! Don’t hang up! I can’t make out that number!!

A looong pause later, Ruby's mother got on the line and added, "Hi Dr. John, this is Ruby's mom, Amy, and we met you at the Gala art show. We were wondering if the piece had sold. We hope for your sake that it has, but if not, well, Ruby has thought about it every day since the show, she just loves that piece! Would you give us a call? Our number AGAIN is ----. Bye!"

A few days later, I was able to contact Amy and shortly thereafter, the piece was picked up. It now resides where, I suspect, it was always intended to be~ deep within little Ruby's heart.

I choose to believe this was a very sweet, almost stealth "Carmageddon" Buddha blessing on a Los Angeles freeway today, because we all might secretly need it.

It's amazing how most of us (including myself) are hyper-traffic-aware Angeleno’s and are still in disbelief about how this could possibly happen, but now are busily planning our weekends around traffic.

Funny how we perceive that our lives might be, and may be, completely disrupted by a 10 mile stretch of a 405 freeway closure.

Always grateful for the reminder that it isn’t always about going somewhere else…
and sometimes it is.

fathers day

I have always loved this photo and seems appropriate to share it on fathers day

This is a photo of my dad and I sitting side by side last year, and it captures the essence of our relationship and what he has given me. I got his long, lean legs, and I am eternally grateful for that! Although not so much in my earlier years while he cheered me on and supported me through the gangly "daddy long legs" stage, pants were never long enough and too tall for the cute boys’ often angst-ridden tween and teen years.

That support, of course, continued into my adult years, as he walked me down the aisle to my husband of five years in my favorite running shoes to meet the Elvis impersonator as we renewed our vows for my parents in Las Vegas the night before a marathon we were doing together. I am almost certain that was not his dream for me, but I never would have known it as he laughed, got into it, and cheered those legs on the next day and many races after.

I witnessed fitness as a priority from an early age and was always encouraged to explore that realm as he celebrated my first jump off the high dive and countless other milestones and received clear course correction only when needed:)

He supported me with a word, a shoulder, or even a check (or ten) as I progressed through the corporate world, always with sound advice and loving support. I continue to embrace and use all the leadership and good human qualities he demonstrated through thoughtful action throughout his career.

Thank you, Dad, for all you have given me, the strong legs to stand on and the grace to move forward in my life. You are an amazing human, and I love and appreciate you very much!

mom

I just returned from a sort of retreat where we were asked to identify our core values, strengths, etc., and my "aha” moment was that creativity has been a consistent thread in all areas and stages of my life.

I was encouraged from an early age to be a creative free spirit by both my parents, and I was a daily witness to the joys of creative bliss from my mom.

The evolution and cycles of her creative exploration and mastery range from a pottery studio in our garage where she taught and whipped out an endless array of dishes, vases and slab art to making three guitars from scratch and then learning to play them. When mom was studying interior design, our dining room table became the hub of the house as she built impeccable 3D scale models of houses and assorted other things.

I always had the best, most perfectly detailed dioramas for my book reports, and the book "Free to be You and Me” was my childhood manual, and I still value and appreciate the lesson and philosophy today.

I am sure I don't tell you enough. Mom, I love you, and I appreciate and am so grateful for the gift of creativity and inspiration you have blessed me with—much more than you will ever know.

Happy Mothers day

by Elliott S. Dacher M.D.

I have this wonderful teacher, my granddaughter. She is a little over two years old. Her mom called the other day to say that little Zoe was waking up at night crying from nightmares and would not sleep in her room. It seems there were cows running all over her room? That would be frightening for any of us.

As I thought about this, I realized that Zoe didn't yet know what a dream was. She did not realize that it was all in her mind and not in her room. So when she was awake, the fear did not go away. The cows were just hiding someplace in her room, perhaps playing peek-a-boo.

Of course, as adults, we all know that nighttime dreams are in the mind, and when we awaken, we do so with a sigh of relief, knowing that dreams are not real but only the product of our imagination.

But as an adult, I similarly act as if my daydreams, whose source is also in my mental imagination, are quite true. My fears, anxieties, judgments, and limitations are a result of my inability to awaken from my adult "dreams," from the over activity of my mental imagination, making the past the present.

One day Zoe will realize that her nighttime dreams are not real. She will be freed from the fears and limitations of her unruly imagination. With grace, perhaps one day I will also be similarly freed from an enslavement to my daydreams and be able to live free in the present moment, as it actually is.

Thank you to my dear teacher, Zoe.

My great friend Bill called me after his morning swim yesterday and shared the incredibly sweet spontaneous duck rescue effort he and a fellow swimmer performed as they were interrupted from their daily laps in a local freshwater, waveless pool. Momma duck was quacking in distress as she had brought 11 of her little darlings into the pool and they were drifting off and getting stuck in the gutters, and mom could not get them out herself. Bill and his friend quickly got to work to reunite the duck family, vowed to go back to the pool every 4 hours to make sure they were all ok, and proceeded to reach out to various agencies to get them relocated to a more "duck-friendly" place.

He even began negotiations with local kids to hire them to act as temporary crossing guards in case the new family decided to explore the neighborhood. With all the craziness in the world right now I am grateful for people like Bill and to be reminded  that there are simple and random acts of kindness taking place every moment!

What I am grateful for by Kathy Russell

I am grateful for my neighbors, Ian Kelsey and Megan, whose ages range from 6 to 9 years old. They continue to remind me of innocence, joy, and laughter, and that as an adult, I have learned to take myself much too seriously.

As we spend time together hiking or playing go-fish, they remind me to live in the moment and be happy as they are, because you never know when that moment will be taken away.

What I'm Grateful For

By Andrea L. Davis

In this moment in time, I’m so grateful for my darling (pet name for my boyfriend). Since he came into my life, I’ve never felt such deep feelings of love. His love has opened my heart to accept myself just as I am each and every day. This may seem easy to some, but it has been a struggle for me to simply love myself. It is truly amazing the healing power of love.  Love heals from the inside out. Love is contagious. Love knows no boundaries and is everlasting. I’m so grateful that I have discovered and tapped into this kind of love. It has been an amazing journey, an awakening, and I am grateful.

Andrea Davis
grateful at 30 something

This straightforward dose of wisdom seems even sweeter when you consider its location, prominently perched in the back of a pickup truck during a Sunday morning flea market.

Grateful for being open to see the message... however they show up.

I have been watching this tree grow up through the concrete sidewalk and the confines of this sign post for almost six years. It has been slow and steady growth, as you would expect given the conditions it has chosen. It is on the route to one of my favorite hikes, and I am grateful for the powerful reminder that anything is possible with trust and perseverance.

Chele Mckee grateful for it all at 47

Awww.... We are rolling into a fresh, shiny new year (1-1-11); even the numbers suggest a magical time to be alive! I am so grateful for the reminder that each day is a new beginning and so blessed for all the new like-minded souls that came into my life in Joshua Tree this weekend during a meditation retreat. I appreciate and welcome your participation in this creative collaboration inspired by gratitude! It is such a joy to really know that everything is possible!

Among all the other things that keep us alive every day, water may be one that we take for granted when it is available and safe to drink.

When we count our blessings, we often overlook the importance of water. This is not to say we don't appreciate it. This only serves to highlight the fact that it is not a universal phenomenon that it is always present in our lives.

Fact:
”Every week, nearly 38,000 children under the age of 5 die from unsafe drinking water and unhygienic living conditions.”

With that in mind, take time each day to be grateful for water.

Consider lending time or donating money to an organization like one of these that helps make clean water available to those in need.

water.org

charitywater.org