1. Truth: The First Noble Truth of Buddhism is “life is suffering.” A better translation might be that life is uncomfortable. Things don’t go as we planned, don’t turn out the way we want. And the causes and conditions that impact how things work are complicated and mostly out of our control, even as we experience the consequences.

2. Truth: I don’t know what I’m doing. Add that to the fact that life is suffering, is uncomfortable, and it can seem pretty discouraging, but I’m not going to give up. I’ll keep trying.

3. Truth: There is so much to do. The list is so crazy long it seems impossible, but then I remember I don’t have to do it all at once. I can focus simply on what’s next, take one simple step.

One wish: That however we might be uncomfortable, we don’t give up. May our surrender to our discomfort and not knowing, and the awareness that we are together in these conditions ease our suffering.

1. Truth: This summer hasn’t gone as expected. It got hijacked by illness and injury, the need to set clear boundaries and rest. Taking care of myself, things at work, and our house was where my effort was spent. All the things I’d intended to do didn’t happen, had to wait.

2. Truth: I’ve learned a lot about boundaries and limits. My mind is overly optimistic about what’s possible, and my heart wants to give so much. I’ve had to accept that I can’t go as fast as I’d like to, do everything I want. I also understand that it’s okay, even necessary to tell others what is enough, to tell them no, that they won’t like it but that doesn’t matter if it’s what I need.

3. Truth: This summer shifted my rhythm. I have a sense of all the things that need done, all the stuff I’d like to do, but instead of going on attack, pushing through the day, I ease into it. I consider “what’s next?” in a much gentler way, more easily let go of what’s not going to happen.

Bonus truth: I love my little life, my sweet house and my tiny family. This space, the love, the comfort are home.

One wish: That we can bear witness to all the struggles and need, our own and those of others, and do what we can without doing too much.