image by tungphoto

Today, in more ways that one, I am jumping into the river. One way is I am starting a 30 day blog posting practice, The River of Stones. The simplest explanation is that this practice leads one to “pay more attention and fall in love with the world.” Each day, you “properly” and fully notice something, sink into the moment and really see and experience it, write it down and share it. Much of what you’ll notice–especially if you are as boring as me (I’m not complaining or apologizing, this kind of life is necessary to my sanity and my art)–is quite ordinary.

The key is to be here, fully connected with the moment, paying attention to the details of ordinary life. By taking care of ordinary things-our pots and pans, our clothing, our teeth- we rejoice in them. When we scrub a vegetable or brush our hair, we are expressing appreciation: friendship toward ourselves and toward the living quality that is found in everything. ~Pema Chödrön

This seems like a really good way to start off a year of “retreat.”

Today’s Small Stone

Morning of a new day, dawn of a new year–the sky clear blue and wide open with a golden edge. A wisp of white cloud floats slowly south as my heart opens–to the day, the year, the sky, the light.

• Good morning beautiful new day, beautiful new year.