Well, I have officially survived the flu, which was awful; made
it hard to get things done but also opened the door to some unusual goings on
with the Winter of Plenty. Even the weather seems to be echoing the ups and
downs of the end of January.
One of the things I stress in the Zen Studies is that things
do not happen for a reason, it is what we choose to do with them that create
the connection. That is not to say that the Universe is without intention, but
that it is always up to us to be ready for chance and opportunity. Rarely, do
these things arrive and all it takes is our noticing them to make things happen
– there is usually more work to be taken on.
One of the best ways to make things happen is to develop
patience and compassion. Both are difficult and very active virtues that
require constant diligence in order to retain them – but they allow you to walk
through difficult times and still get the things done that will allow you to
step through a door of opportunity when it appears.
One of our families transitioned from living in a car to an
apartment. They asked for bedding and you all arrived with it. The clothes
closet at OASIS is filled with a wonderful array of sizes and good quality
clothes. St. Rays and New City will be receiving most of the clothes from here
out, the ZS will receive them and then OASIS will sort and drive the clothes
over according to the wish list each center gave us. Another family is moving
forward steadily with arranging employment and looks like by mind spring will
be hired.
Now comes the hardest part of the Winter of Plenty – it is
almost February, a time when most of us just feel bogged down by winter and
somewhat depressed, and the cupboards are bare. Clothing is always welcome but
we are back into a full need for food – canned, dried, and fresh. The best day
to drop it off is Wednesday at Main Street Martial Arts (1282 North Main
Street) because I am there all day to sort, receive and ship things off – also,
one of our main families comes in on Weds for one of our programs and it is
easy to get fresh fruits to them.
So…..food, food, food, gift cards to Stop & Shop or
Price Rite, anything along those lines is deeply needed. I was horrified to visit
one family and see that the parents were choosing to eat one meal a day so the
kids could have three because it was at the end of the month.
BTW…a big thank you for all the sympathy cards that were
sent to Beth and Matthew. That kind of community support is priceless. The Zen
Studies is moving forward with our “Path to Wellness” program that will start
appearing in the spring, I think you will like it; it is a unique way to begin
to connect all our small communities through having bright and joyful things in
common. Connected communities help to take care of each other because they
never let anyone get so far down that they cannot get up.
That is how it works. Be well, stay well and come in some
morning to the Morning Practice – we are back on 7 days a week through the
middle of February as we have new participants in the 28 Day program.
Amituofo,
Cassandra
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