Imagine...

https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/12e1aba720d8708a

 IMAGINE...

That's all we have to do: IMAGINE.

A  knowing of divine truth.

A heart of One.

A life of presence.

A world of peace. 

A Being of love.

GNH: Yes!

There's a small country in southern Asia named Bhutan. Recently, the 50-something-year old leader "passed the leadership torch" to his 26-year old son, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. The son is well educated and brings a fresh perspective to the politics of Bhutan. His desire is for Bhutan to be a notable player in world politics without compromising it's culture. In his view, this means strengthening Bhutan economically and keeping up with technological advancements without sacrificing the country's heritage.

In his wisdom, Jigme Singye Wangchuck did something brilliant: he borrowed the USA's concept of Gross National Product as a leading principle for Bhutan by changing it into Gross National Happiness. He defines Gross National Happiness as "inner contentment for all people living in Bhutan" and offers four pillars of what it means:

1. Good Governance
2. Balanced Economic Development (high standard of living for all, free education, etc...)
3. Environmental Preservation and Sustainability
4. Preserving and Promoting Culture (maintaining a national identity that distinguishes them from other countries)

Wangchuck says things like:

"Imagery leads to thoughts, thoughts lead to actions and actions create our world" (referring to imagery from the USA on televisions and the internet, which were only recently allowed into Bhutan) and

"Human progress does not equal economic growth" and  

"Happiness does not come from 'more'" and  

"Economic growth at any cost is not acceptable."


He believes that happiness is achieved by taking the middle path, balancing the needs of man with the powerful spirits of nature.

So, he is allowing technological advancements in Bhutan, yet in balance with their cultural traditions which are founded in Tantric Buddhism and the principles of peace, an end to suffering, wisdom and joy. Both pieces - technological/economic expansion and traditional cultural ideals are promoted and maintained; growth with integrity and balance; authentic happiness... Sounds like a great way to live from a place of love to me...

I might have to live there...

Snow Magic

My sweetie's snowbeing.

Wow - it snowed this morning in Texas!
(Friday, February 4, 2011)

There's something about sparkly, white snow that brings a twinkle to my eyes and fills my heart with joy...

Maybe it's the purity of the snow when it's fresh. Maybe it's the magical way it sparkles in the sun. Maybe it's the miracle of falling water turning into elegant crystals that drift lazily from the sky to blanket the land. Maybe it's the fun memories I have of playing in it. Maybe it's just that it so rarely happens here...

Snow on our bamboo.

I can almost hear the plants sighing in the cold, yet with a gentleness that's connected to the beauty of it all. How could they feel anything but bliss at the newness and freshness of snow?

 

Our sweet rosemary plant is reaching up tall to the warm sunshine beginning to drizzle down as the morning progresses, as if to say "Hey - it's cold down here! Shine on, my friend!"

Rosemary in an old wheelbarrow.

The winter ground takes on a whole new look when it's blanketed with white snow: brown leaves from our trees and the wooden garden edging in our front yard look like a work of art when covered with snow.

Garden edging.

St. Francis greets the brave birds that are flitting about looking for food around our feeders...

St. Francis statue in front bird sanctuary.

...but they won't have any luck with water! This is our bird bath, frozen and covered with a light blanket of snow.

The unique bird bath my sweetie found at a weird Austin store.

Even our water hose looks pretty in the snow!

Today, this fresh, white snow became an opening into more love. And it reminds me that everything is an opening into more love... The line from my spiritual teacher's song resurfaces:

"Choose as love what is..."