Monk and his dog resting under a tree.
Monk in nature.
Monk showing compassion to the creatures.
On an afternoon walk, the loud chirping of house finches on a scrub oak tree was so delightful. It’s bird therapy.
Just today I was telling my kids that happiness does not have to cost a penny. In a world where earning money is becoming harder, it is a good idea to find happiness without spending anything.
So here they are, making chalk hearts in our garden, surrounded by beautiful spring flowers.
My daughter picks up Japanese words as I learn them. Here she has made chlak art and written hanami, the flower-viewing tradition. When I asked her, “Hanami is watching flowers, and hanabi is fireworks. Which one would you choose?” she said, “Hanami, of course.”
One night I could not sleep because of my daughter’s cough, so I went out for a dawn walk. I have seen many sunsets, but not many dawn skies. That day I saw the soft morning colors rising slowly.
This is my favorite nook in the garden. Here I sit, soak in the sun, and look at the little Buddha surrounded by arugula, nasturtium, mustard, and daisies. My stress disappears. I know nobody else created this space for me but i did it myself. Sometimes we have to create our own happiness.
This is the western vista from my house, but today my brain played a little trick on me. For a moment it looked like a mountain covered with clouds. It was just clouds.
I hope you enjoy the photos and the thoughts.
