Revised Loving Kindness Prayer

Dear Katalusis friends, the snow continues to blanket Minnesota this weekend. I'm glad I stocked up on food and necessities the other day – as you know, I don't like driving in bad weather. Discovering a copy of my revision of the Loving Kindness Prayer in my files this morning has boosted my morale. And it helps to know that I have several books on hand for the pleasure of reading. I hope you also enjoy my revision of the Loving Kindness Prayer.

May we release all burdens of guilt, shame, fear, and loss that no longer serve us and needless fear and anxiety about the future;

May we be free from suffering;

May we be filled with loving kindness;

May we forgive those who have trespassed against us; and may those we’ve trespassed against forgive us;

May we be protected from all internal and external harm;

May we be as healthy and whole as possible;

May we make the most of our talents and resources on behalf of ourselves and the common good;

May we enjoy both spiritual and material well-being.

May we be centered, peaceful, and at ease;

May we be happy.

Wake up his brain - Send Donald Trump to the Library

Does it surprise anyone that the Trump Administration and Republican Party have submitted a zero budget request for the Institute for Library and Museum Services? Just listening to Trump speak for a few minutes lets you know the man has likely not read a book since he was assigned a book report in high school. I'll bet he can't remember the last time he visited a library.

I visit my local library – the Washington County Library in Woodbury, Minn. - at least once or twice a week, especially during the winter. To begin with, I love books; I recently checked out Joe Schmit's Silent Impact. But my favorite library also offers a lovely environment with its skylight, indoor water falls and live green trees, plus a blazing fireplace. The coffee shop is nice, too.

Best of all, I love children. I live in a seniors apartment building, so it's a pleasure to visit my second home where lots of kids are happily following their parents around who are helping them select age- appropriate books. During my library visit the other day, I paused to speak to a woman who had her four- or five-year old son in tow. I was telling her I loved being around young children when her son suddenly reached out to shake hands with me! Mom's eyes widened in surprise at her offspring's graciousness; just one of many priceless moments I've experienced at my favorite library that I've been visiting for quite a few years.

Later on that day, as I sat at my table near the water falls, sipping my coffee and paging through Joe Schmit's collection of heartwarming stories, I felt deeply grateful for my local library for giving me a refreshing respite from life in a seniors building. And I'll be taking two or three books home with me to read in the evening hours instead of watching the usually boring programs on TV.

Hmm, maybe we should all write to President Trump and suggest that he start visiting his local library and actually read a book? Shouldn't our elected officials exercise their brains now and then, or is that too much to ask? I'll bet they'd be less likely to recommend cutting the funding for these wonderful public resources.

Solitary Confinement?

It's a stretch, I know, but the weather lately here in Saint Paul, Minn. has reminded me of stories I've read by former prisoners of war who have endured solitary confinement for days on end. Snow-covered and icy roads have prevented me from getting in my car and driving anywhere; the latest weather news warns of more hazardous driving yet to come.

Obviously, the comparison between my circumstances and the solitary confinement of prisoners does not hold up. For one thing, I live in an apartment building, and my neighbors and I frequently get together in the main community room where we enjoy one another's company. And I remain connected to the outside world! In the morning, I turn on my TV for news and weather; the Today Show also provides a few entertaining moments.

Here at my laptop, it gives me chills to receive information that someone in China has read my latest post. Cell phone in hand, I can keep in touch with family and friends and along with email, I can pay my bills and otherwise manage my life; for example, I recently ordered my groceries online to be delivered tomorrow evening. (Delivery drivers are somehow able to negotiate snow-covered and icy roads that keep me confined.)

It has occurred to me as I write this that confinement is one thing, but yet another aggravation has been the loss of independence; I sorely miss being able to jump in my car and make a Target run to replenish my supply of Tylenol; yes, this is headachy weather!

But then I check my calendar: February will soon be half over, and Spring begins in March. And those of us who reside in the upper Midwest can rejoice in the knowledge that in a few weeks, the weather will turn; the five or six inches of snow on the ground will melt; and wildflowers will burst into bloom along the roads we travel.

In the meantime, I plan to stay in touch by phone and email with family and friends, socialize with my neighbors, exercise daily – walk the halls, climb the stairs, etc. – find books to read in our apartment building's library – and maybe even do a little writing.