Pensing and pondering and presenting the thoughts.

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Something I have been thinking on these past fews days 

(but also thinking about quite deeply since having survived COVID this September-past) 

is this: 

I can only do what I can only do. 

It's not that SARS-CoV-2 had much to do with how I think and process life these days; 

the virus actually affected how my brain functions, and, healing from (and working through) acute brain inflammation 

taught me a valuable lesson:

I must be entirely present in each task I perform, 

not adding more to the plate in front of me, 

giving attention and presence to whatever I am doing. 

Kinda sorta and exactly like this quote from Thich Nhat Hanh:

“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, 

as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves, 

slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.”

A good dear friend told me years ago,

"things take as long as they take." 

And now I understand exactly what she was telling me.

Some days, even walking up Coyote Hill involves precise intention to each step, 

but I also find that ascending my beloved hill allows me time to pray.

It's not like Jesus-y prayers and petitions, but simply more like 

meditation 

and saying the names of people who mean a whole heck of a lot to me. 

Oh, and, animals, too. 

Maybe there's more animals on my list of "say their name" than there are people. 

Sometimes there is, sometimes there's not. 

There's intention behind saying particular names, 

but, please know this:

I say 

Thank You

first and foremost.

Thank You for what I have been given and what I shall be given.

It's kinda sorta and exactly like the prayer I say each year as I sow seeds into garden dirt: 

I'll take what I'm given. 

And, thankfully, this year I was given more flowers than vegetables, 

and that's perfectly alright with me, 

since I consider flowers to be food for my soul. 

So, as I proceed with this day and the plans therein, 

may this day be a blessing for you. 

May you be thankful for what you have been given and what you shall be given. 

It's a good life. 

Amen. 

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