The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a heaven of Hell, a hell of Heaven.
~John Milton

When we look deeply into a flower, we see the elements that have come together to allow it to manifest. We can see clouds manifesting as rain. Without the rain, nothing can grow. When I touch the flower, I’m touching the cloud and touching the rain. This is not just poetry, it’s reality. If we take the clouds and the rain out of the flower, the flower will not be there. With the eye of the Buddha, we are able to see the clouds and the rain in the flower. We can touch the sun without burning our fingers. Without the sun nothing can grow, so it’s not possible to take the sun out of the flower. The flower cannot be as a separate entity; it has to inter-be with the light, with the clouds, with the rain. The word “interbeing” is closer to reality that the word “being.” Being really means interbeing. ~Thich Nhat Hanh

May 8, 2015.

This is a very important practice. Live your daily life in a way that you never lose yourself. When you are carried away with your worries, fears, cravings, anger, and desire, you run away from yourself and you lose yourself. The practice is always to go back to oneself. ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Cats are such fastidious groomers that we recommend bathing only if they should “get into something”. Excess bathing can dry their skin and remove the natural oils from their coat. Cats with long hair should be combed or brushed on a daily basis to help prevent matting and clumping of the hair. Shorthaired cats should be brushed weekly with a fine-toothed comb or soft brush. Changes in Sleeping Habits- From sleeping more often to being awake more in the night. Some cats will start to vocalize or “yowl” more at night. You may find your cat sleeping in unusual places when they are not feeling well- or even that they appear restless like they cannot get comfortable enough to rest. Source: Cats Veterinary

Count the garden by the flowers, never by the leaves that fall. Count your life with smiles and not the tears that roll. ~ Author Unknown

Cats communicate largely through body language, and the tail is one
of the most important parts of your cat’s communication toolbox. By
understanding “tail talk,” you can understand how your cat is feeling
with just a glance.

A happy cat, for instance, walks
with her tail held high, and a super-happy cat will add a quiver at the
tail tip to demonstrate her joy. A mildly annoyed cat will twitch the
end of her tail, but if she’s lashing her tail back and forth, you’d
better step away, because the claws are about to come out. A cat
concentrating on prey will have her tail held low to the ground,
although there might be a very slight twitching at the end as she tries
to control her excitement. Source: Catster

Issue a blanket pardon. Forgive everyone who has ever hurt you in any way.
Forgiveness is a perfectly selfish act. It sets you free from the past.

~ Brian Tracey

There is no way you can change everyone in this world to your way of thinking . It is not even desirable. If everyone agrees with you, the world will soon run out of ideas.

There are many ways of correcting a person when he is wrong. By criticising, blaming and railing at him in public, you will be humiliating and not correcting him. Criticism is certain to make more enemies. If you can show concern for a man’s future good with kind words, he will thank you for it someday.

Never use harsh or unpleasant words whenever you express your views on issues. Diplomacy, gentleness and politeness do not hurt anybody. In fact they will open many doors.

Do not feel defensive when your own faults are pointed out. Your faults are your signposts for learning perfection. Temper is a poor camouflage for shortcomings. When someone loses his temper he will blurt out too many things better left unsaid. Never reveal a former friend’s personal secret no matter how angry you are with him now. You will only degrade yourself in the process and others could never accept you as sincere friend thereafter. Others will think you could do the same thing you did to injure a former friend: no one will trust you.

~Venerable Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda

Downtown Lowell — May 6, 2015.

Better than if there were thousands
of meaningless words is one meaningful word
that on hearing brings peace.

~Buddha, The Dhammapada

Your wealth can only edify your house but not you. Only your own virtue can edify you. Your dress can adorn your body but not you. Only your good conduct can.

Ultimately, it is bliss to know that “happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself”. The world may not be what you want it to be but you can tune your heart to find happiness within it. It is only when you have suffered for doing good that you can rise above others in understanding and personal happiness. ~by Venerable Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda

“If you want to find happiness, let us stop thinking about gratitude and ingratitude and give for the inner joy of giving. Ingratitue natural – like weeds. Gratitude is like a rose. It has to be fed, watered, and cultivated and loved and protected”. (Dale Carnegie)

Flowers – May 7, 2015.