The Unlikely Buddha

  Life throws us curveballs. Sometimes, they're gentle lobs, but other times, they're fastballs that knock us flat. When faced with tragedy, it's natural to search for meaning, for some cosmic explanation that makes sense of the pain. Phrases like "everything happens for a reason" can feel like life rafts in a storm, offering a fragile hope amidst the chaos. However, while these phrases may bring temporary comfort, the reality is that life is often messy and unpredictable. There may not be a grand plan or a preordained script, just a tapestry woven with joy, sorrow, and everything in between. Accepting this doesn't diminish the hurt, but it allows us to move beyond the question "why?" and start exploring "how." How can we navigate these storms with a sense of agency? The answer lies within ourselves. By cultivating awareness of our thoughts and emotions, we gain a foothold in the midst of the churning waters. This doesn't mean ignori...

  The night descends, a sigh of gray,  A silver moon, it holds its sway. A frosted disc, a watchful eye, As wispy clouds in silence fly. They drift across the velvet black,  Like brushstrokes white, upon a track  Of endless dark, a starry sea, A canvas vast, for all to see. The air is crisp, a breath of pine,  A symphony of scents entwined  With dampened earth, a gentle breeze,  Rustling leaves through ancient trees. The world shrinks down, beneath the dome,  Of endless space, my worries numb.  A quiet peace, a gentle hush,  As moonlit shadows softly brush. A connection felt, to something grand,  A universe, held in my hand. The stars whisper secrets, old and new,  In this moment, bathed in moonlit dew. I breathe it in, the silent night,  A simple beauty, pure and bright.  A sense of wonder fills my soul,  As stars and moon their stories roll. Unlikely Buddha, 2024