Sunshine and rain and earth.

I can speak so sweetly 

    that I spit honey; 

it’s in my eyes 

    that the poison lies. 

-James Lee Jobe

Dave Brubeck Quartet, Take Five 

Evening Prayer, a poem by Vandana Khanna

            The true understanding is that the mind includes everything; when you think something comes from outside it means only that something appears in your mind.

-Shunryu Suzuki Roshi

            The classical antidote for fear in Buddhist teachings is metta, or lovingkindness. With lovingkindness, we instill a sense of kindness, care, and connection into our way of being that is profound in terms of shifting the energy of fear both within us and around us. 

-Sebene Selassie

Dar (Gift), a poem by Czesław Miłosz

The mountains just stand there 

and take it, the endless changes 

that come. And eventually changes 

wear the mountains down, 

still they stand there and take it. 

So it goes, such is time, 

and such is strength. 

-James Lee Jobe

Owl, a poem by Anne Haven McDonnell

            May our deepest held values shape the work that we do. May we create art that reflects the best of our character, and may we celebrate all that is good.

-Unknown 

            For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream. 

Vincent van Gogh

The crop is in.

Pick an ear of corn and open it.

Inside is everything of the world

And of life and happiness.

Sunshine and rain and earth.

Honest sweat from honest work.

Faith that the work will hold us

On into the Fall and the Winter.

Good solid nourishing food

For the family or the customers.

And if all goes well, some profit,

A little income. And that’s a lot

To ask from a single ear of corn.

-James Lee Jobe 

Retirement, a poem by Monica Sok

            Your life is unique. Follow your own path and leave the naysayers behind. Your life, your karma, your choices.

-James Lee Jobe 

You can support this blog through the Buy Me A Coffee link below. It is appreciated.