today I am different

"Looking at pictures of myself I see someone familiar yet different. I am not the same person I was at 5, 15, 25...I have changed. Without change, I am no longer myself. Please look at me for who I am today and I will see you in the same light." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose to be the best husband, father, teacher and Preston.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

the Sun and truth

"Clouds might temporarily cover the Sun, but in the end the Sun always prevails. The truth is like the Sun." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose truth.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

morality

"Mind Control/Conditioning: doing something right because of a future promised reward.
Morality: doing something right because it is the right thing to do."

Today, I choose to practice morality.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

Unneeded baggage

"The added weight of unneeded baggage is of little good. Unpack your heart and mind before the start of your daily journey." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose to let go.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

truth outside the mask

"With loving kindness for all, be true to yourself. How do you expect others to love, accept and believe you, if you can't love, accept and believe yourself? Inner Peace cannot be visualized behind the deception of a mask." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose to love, accept and believe myself while practicing loving kindness towards all people.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

true peace

"External Peace comes with a condition, once gained it can be easily lost. True Peace comes from within, once gained it becomes eternal." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose to seek true Peace.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

2nd chance love

"A love regained after being lost can be much sweeter when visualized through the eyes of impermanence." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose to appreciate the time I have with my love.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

1st love

"How can we expect others to value and accept our love when we don't first love ourselves? Love and accept who you are, then share that gift with the world." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose to accept and love myself.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

natural love

"Love flows from the heart not the mind." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose to follow the natural path of my heart.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

love vs hate

"Spreading hate and passing judgement are the tools of a troubled soul. Peace is found through unconditional love." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose a greater love. I love based on acceptance.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

desires vs. needs

"The pathway to peace and freedom is clear when we simplify our desires and focus only on our needs:

May I have just enough food for nourishment.
May I have just enough shelter for protection.
May I have just enough clothing for warmth.
May I have just enough love to share with the world." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose to simplify my desires and focus on my needs.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

peaceful perspective

"The optimist sees the glass half full. The pessimist sees the glass half empty. The peaceful man has the ability to see, understand and accept the reality of the glass." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose to focus my views towards peace.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

pathway of life

"Life is a pathway of many present moments. When we focus on the present moment, our path is clear and intentional." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose to focus on the present moment. Taking the time to look deeply within those I love.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

my actions

“My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My actions are the ground on which I stand.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh

Today, I choose to let my thoughts and words direct my actions towards love.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

peace as a partner

"Peace is not dependent on our location, it is available on the mountain top as well as in the valley. If we seek peace from within our heart and mind it becomes a welcomed travel partner." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose peace.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

impermanence

"The truth of impermanence forces the believer to be mindful in the present moment, realizing the finality of each passing second." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose focus on the positive.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

the path to peace and happiness

"The narrow path to peace and happiness is simple, yet it can be as difficult to walk as a razor's edge.

1. Be mindful in this present moment.
2. Seek truth.
3. Practice quiet compassionate listening.
4. Use only loving kindness in your speech." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose the path towards peace and happiness.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

love and acceptance

"A condition of inner peace is pure love. A love that is shared between others must first be realize within ourselves. Until we learn to love and accept ourselves, inner peace will be a distant dream." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose to travel a path towards inner peace by loving and accepting myself.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

Unconditional Love

"The successful practice of unconditional love must consist of two parts: giving and receiving. Peace is available when we open our minds to this practice." - Preston Morgan

Every time I turn away from my foolish pride and open my heart and mind to Wezie's unconditional love, I am overcome by a tsunami of Peace.

Today, I choose Peace and Love over Pride.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

pride

Today I have two quotes that speak to me about my selfish pride. I realize, through the love of Wezie, that I must overcome my pride to gain the peace that awaits.

“In the end, just three things matter:

How well we have lived

How well we have loved

How well we have learned to let go”

― Jack Kornfield

“Even Socrates, who lived a very frugal and simple life, loved to go to the market. When his students asked about this, he replied, "I love to go and see all the things I am happy without.”

― Jack Kornfield

Today, I choose peace and contentment over pride.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

life in this moment

"By focusing our thoughts on what could have been if... or what might be if... robs our ability to live in this present moment. A moment that will be lost forever. Choose your thoughts well, for yesterday and tomorrow were created by a present moment." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose to focus on this present moment.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

Wezie's love

Today marks the day 27 years ago that Wezie and I went on our first date. I can't imagine sharing these years with anyone else. I greatly appreciate Wezie's insight, passion, and love for life. With each passing day we grow older, but our love stays fresh and new. The smile in her eyes, the warmth of her voice, and gentle touch of her hand are what keeps me reminded of just how blessed I am.

Today, I choose to share love.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

affordable healthcare

"My actions are my only true belongings." - Thich Nhat Hanh

The way we treat out neighbors reflects the light within each one of us.

Matthew 25:31-46

Isn't affordable quality healthcare for all Americans a good Christian principle? Are you a goat or sheep?

Today, I choose to be a sheep.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

truth

"We take refuge in pride because we are afraid to tell the truth to ourselves." - Kakuzo Okakura

Today, I choose truth.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

when we suffer

“When another person makes you suffer, it is because he suffers deeply within himself, and his suffering is spilling over. He does not need punishment; he needs help. That's the message he is sending.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh

Today, I choose to embrace my suffering.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

success

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today, I choose to value success.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

religion is ...

"Religion is not just some dry intellectual idea but rather your basic philosophy of life: you hear a teaching that makes sense to you, find through experience that it relates positively with your psychological makeup, get a real taste of it through practice, and adopt it as your spiritual path.
That's the right way to enter the spiritual path." - Lama Yeshe

Today, I choose to follow my spiritual path.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

seek truth

"The messenger is irrelevant when speaking the truth." - Preston Morgan

Why do I get upset with a person that speaks truth about myself? Truth comes from many different directions. Seek truth.

Today, I choose to seek truth.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

Liberated through karma

"The foolish are trapped by karma, while the wise are liberated through karma."
Stonepeace

Today, I choose to follow the path of wisdom.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

beauty of life

"The beauty of life is, while we cannot undo what is done,
we can see it, understand it, learn from it and change.
So that every new moment is spent not in regret, guilt, fear or anger,
but in wisdom, understanding and love."
Jennifer Edwards

Today, I choose life.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

an open mind

“For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh, Being Peace

Today, I choose to keep my heart and mind open.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

no death, no fear

This article lead me to the book "No Death, No Fear" by Thich Nhat Hahn.

http://www.plumvillage.org/transcibe/7-what-happens-when-you-die.html

"what happens when you die" continues to give me comfort and peace.

Today, I choose to embrace my life and attempt to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

peace, happiness and freedom

"Peace, happiness, and freedom are within our grasp, when we choose to embrace impermanence." - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose to be me.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

in search of happiness

Sharon Salzberg: “By engaging in a delusive quest for happiness, we bring only suffering upon ourselves. In our frantic search for something to quench our thirst, we overlook the water all around us and drive ourselves into exile from our own lives. ”

Today, I choose to be mindful - by realizing the ocean of happiness that surrounds my life.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

holding anger

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. " - Buddha

Today, I choose to let go of all my hot coals.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

source of love

“The source of love is deep in us and we can help others realize a lot of happiness. One word, one action, one thought can reduce another person’s suffering and bring that person joy.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh

Today, I choose to bring joy.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

words we utter

"Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill." - Buddha

Today, I choose to focus on positive words.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

a father's day gift

As a son, I sometimes feel I don't measure up to my father. He was the one to guide and direct my youthful ways.

As a father, I want to nurture a guiltless individual growth within my children.

The greatest Father's Day gift... First, love and accept yourself. Second, share that love with everyone.

Today, I choose to accept and love.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

purpose of religions

“The purpose of all the major religious traditions is not to construct big temples on the outside, but to create temples of goodness and compassion inside, in our hearts.”
― Dalai Lama XIV

Today, I choose to build a temple in my heart.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

What is a wife?

What is a wife? If we used religious text to define a wife, men would have a lesser support mate. I feel the LGBT community has taken a positive lead in naming their mates, "Life Partner". Wezie is truly my life partner, a equal mate in our journey together. Thank you LGBT community for continuing to make a positive contribution towards a better world.

Today, I choose to walk beside Wezie.

Blessing of Peace and Love,
Preston

Suffering vs. Happiness

“The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don't wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh

Today, I choose to be happy.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

Let go of anger

"In deep self-acceptance grows a compassionate understanding. As one Zen master said when I asked if he ever gets angry, 'Of course I get angry, but then a few minutes later I say to myself, 'What's the use of this,' and I let it go.'" - Jack Kornfield

Today, I choose to let go of anger.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

friend

One of our skype contacts (Ashwin Baburaj from India) was helping Wezie with a technical question. Wezie simply said "thanks". Ashwin said "never say THANKS to your friend..."  Wezie "why?" Ashwin "because that's what friends do, they help each other" This comes from a friend half way around the world that Wezie and I will probably never meet.


 Please go into the world with an open mind. Beautiful people come in all shapes, sizes, colors and religions.


Today, I choose to be a friend.


Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

Connection

“When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another - and ourselves”
Jack Kornfield

Today, I choose to slow down and connect.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

Truth

"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." - Buddha

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

love is a string-less gift

“The will to control or to possess is not love, nor can one demand or expect a preconceived emotion. Love is the thought process and action of the heart. Whether our love is directed towards a spouse, partner, family member, or friend, our love is a string-less gift.” Preston Morgan

Today, I choose love.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston 

the eyes of compassion

Call Me by My True Names
by Thich Nhat Hanh

Do not say that I’ll depart tomorrow
because even today I still arrive.

Look deeply: I arrive in every second
to be a bud on a spring branch,
to be a tiny bird, with wings still fragile,
learning to sing in my new nest,
to be a caterpillar in the heart of a flower,
to be a jewel hiding itself in a stone.

I still arrive, in order to laugh and to cry,
in order to fear and to hope.
The rhythm of my heart is the birth and
death of all that are alive.

I am the mayfly metamorphosing on the surface of the river,
and I am the bird which, when spring comes, arrives in time
to eat the mayfly.

I am the frog swimming happily in the clear pond,
and I am also the grass-snake who, approaching in silence,
feeds itself on the frog.

I am the child in Uganda, all skin and bones,
my legs as thin as bamboo sticks,
and I am the arms merchant, selling deadly weapons to
Uganda.

I am the twelve-year-old girl, refugee on a small boat,
who throws herself into the ocean after being raped by a sea
pirate,
and I am the pirate, my heart not yet capable of seeing and
loving.

I am a member of the politburo, with plenty of power in my
hands,
and I am the man who has to pay his “debt of blood” to, my
people,
dying slowly in a forced labor camp.

My joy is like spring, so warm it makes flowers bloom in all
walks of life.
My pain if like a river of tears, so full it fills the four oceans.

Please call me by my true names,
so I can hear all my cries and laughs at once,
so I can see that my joy and pain are one.

Please call me by my true names,
so I can wake up,
and so the door of my heart can be left open,
the door of compassion.

Today, I choose to see the world through the eyes of compassion.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

simple religion

“This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.”
Dalai Lama

Today, I choose a simple religion.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

major religious traditions

“All major religious traditions carry basically the same message, that is love, compassion and forgiveness the important thing is they should be part of our daily lives.”
Dalai Lama

Today, I choose to practice love, compassion, and forgiveness.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

spiritual thing

“Perhaps the most "spiritual" thing any of us can do is simply to look through our own eyes, see with eyes of wholeness, and act with integrity and kindness.” 
― Jon Kabat-Zinn, Wherever You Go, There You Are

Today, I choose the view of wholeness and the actions of kindness.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

mystery of life

“Within the mystery of life there is the infinite darkness of the night sky lit by distant orbs of fire, the cobbled skin of an orange that releases its fragrance to our touch, the unfathomable depths of the eyes of our lover. No creation story, no religious system can fully describe or explain this richness and depth. Mystery is so every-present that no one can know for certain what will happen one hour from now. “

It does not matter whether you have religion or are an agnostic believe in nothing, You can only appreciate (without knowing or understanding) the mysteries of life.” 
― Jack Kornfield, After the Ecstasy, the Laundry: How the Heart Grows Wise on the Spiritual Path

Today, I choose to appreciate life.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

the thought of love

“The thought manifests as the word. The word manifests as the deed. The deed develops into habit. And the habit hardens into character. So watch the thought and its ways with care. And let it spring from love, born out of concern for all beings.” – Buddha

Today, I choose to focus on thoughts of love.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

what i believe

“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.” – Buddha

Today, I choose believe: peace comes from mindfulness and happiness comes from loving kindness.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston 

kindness and compassion

“Whether one believes in a religion or not, and whether one believes in rebirth or not, there isn’t anyone who doesn’t appreciate kindness and compassion.” — His Holiness the Dalai Lama, from “Kindness, Clarity, and Insight” by Snow Lion Publications.

Today, I choose kindness and compassion.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

love is the great power

“Still your mind in me, still yourself in me, and without a doubt you shall be united with me, Lord of Love, dwelling in your heart.” – Bhagavad Gita

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

caring about life

“I know whether or not I am confused most readily by noticing--being mindful of--my capacity for feeling caring concern. ... when I feel myself in caring connection--encouraging, consoling, or appreciating--I feel the twin pleasures of clarity and goodness. It doesn't matter if the connection I feel is to myself or a person I know or people I don't know or even the whole world. The lively impulse of caring is what counts. [p. 20]” 
― Sylvia Boorstein, Happiness Is an Inside Job: Practicing for a Joyful Life

Today, I choose to care about all living things.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

learning to surf

“… freedom of choice is possible. Life is going to unfold however it does: pleasant or unpleasant, disappointing or thrilling, expected or unexpected, all of the above! What a relief it would be to know that whatever wave comes along, we can ride it out with grace [p. 35].”
― Sylvia Boorstein, It’s Easier Than You Think: The Buddhist Way to Happiness

Today, I choose to surf.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

the presence of true love

“The practice of true love requires our presence. Loving kindness in our words and quiet mindful listening are the means to be fully present.” – Preston Morgan  

Today, I choose to be mindful and practice loving kindness towards myself and others.

Blessing of Peace and Love,

Preston

invitation to peace

“You hold in your hand an invitation: to remember the transforming power of forgiveness and loving kindness. To remember that no matter where you are and what you face, within your heart peace is possible.” 
― Jack Kornfield

Today, I choose to practice forgiveness and loving kindness to realize the peace that is available within my heart.

Blessings of Peace and Love,
Preston

suffering eased

“You should treat your own suffering like a mother treats her crying baby. When a mother first hears her baby cry, she might not know what is causing the suffering. It is only after she holds and comforts the child can the suffering be eased. Look within your heart for love and compassion towards your own suffering.”  - Preston Morgan

Today, I choose to hold and comfort my suffering.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

reality of life

"Wisdom says we are nothing. Love says we are everything. Between these two our life flows." Jack Kornfield

When I use my own mind I see all my short comings, failures and limitations, but through the love of Wezie I am full, complete and whole. Our vision of life is more than a half full or half empty glass. It is the ability to see and accept reality for what it is – precious.

Today, I choose to embrace my reality and let life flow.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

loving kindness meditation

The practice of Loving Kindness meditation is a wonderful way to start each day.

“We begin practicing the love meditation on ourselves ("I"). Until we are able to love and take care of ourselves, we cannot be of much help to others. After that we can practice on others ("he/she," "they")--first on someone we like, then on someone neutral to us, then someone we love, and finally someone the mere thought of whom makes us suffer. "--Thich Nhat Hanh, Teachings on Love

May I be peaceful, happy, and light in body and spirit.

May I be safe and free from injury.

May I be free from anger, afflictions, fear, and anxiety.

 

May I learn to look at myself with the eyes of understanding and love.

May I be able to recognize and touch the seeds of joy and happiness in myself

May I learn to identify and see the sources of anger, craving, and delusion in myself.

 

May I know how to nourish the seeds of joy in myself every day.

May I be able to live fresh, solid, and free.

May I be free from attachment and aversion, but not be indifferent.

 

Today, I choose to start my day with Loving Kindness meditation.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

lessons of peace

“Peace requires us to surrender our illusions of control. We can love and care for others but we cannot possess our children, lovers, family, or friends. We can assist them, pray for them, and wish them well, yet in the end their happiness and suffering depend on their thoughts and actions, not on our wishes.”
― Jack Kornfield

Today, I choose to surrender my illusion of control and replace my thoughts with loving kindness.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

open mind open heart

“Mindfulness meditation doesn’t change life. Life remains as fragile and unpredictable as ever. Meditation changes the heart’s capacity to accept life as it is. It teaches the heart to be more accommodating; not by beating it into submission, but by making it clear that accommodation is a gratifying choice.”
― Sylvia Boorstein, Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There: A Mindfulness Retreat with Sylvia Boorstein

Today, I choose to open my heart by accepting the reality of life.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

love in practice

“If you do not know how to take care of yourself, and the violence in you, then you will not be able to take care of others. You must have love and patience before you can truly listen to your partner or child. If you are irritated you cannot listen. You have to know how to breathe mindfully, embrace your irritation and transform it. Offer ONLY understanding and compassion to your partner or child - This is the true practice of love. ” Thay

Last night I became irritated. I thought of my own feelings. I stopped listening. 

Today, I choose to take care of myself through the practice of love and patience.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

self love

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.”  Thay

How often do we feel the need for acceptance from others? I sometimes struggle with the thought that I don’t measure up to the standard; whether it’s looks, weight, intelligence, money, or position in life. Then I realize it is not about the hand that I have been dealt, but it is about the way that I play my hand. Am I focusing on the importance of bringing the best out in myself?

Today, I choose to love myself and to become my best.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston  

my wife's love

Love is a verb.

Love is doing for him because you know that is what he needs or desires.

Love is quiet listening even when her mind is busy planning for her class.

Love is that gentle touch of her hand when you need to know she is there.

Love is that look in her eyes as you part ways each morning.

Love is comfort knowing that she is there beside you as you fall asleep.

Love is sharing hopes and dreams of your future together.

Love is a verb.

Today, I choose to LOVE my wife the way she loves me.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

compassion

“Words and thoughts concerning compassionate action that are not put into practice are like beautiful flowers that are colorful but have no fragrance.” Thay

 “Compassion is a verb.” Thay

Today, I choose an active compassion.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

a father's note to his daughter

Dear P.A.,

One of the joys of teaching high school is to see students successfully transition to the next phase of life. Today they passed out caps and gowns. I immediately thought of you. You are an amazing young woman.

 The last couple of weeks I have been watching your interactions GP and Molly. Your attention and time has been so very special to watch. I am soaking up every last laugh and smile. I know that this is how it must and should be. The time has come and you are getting ready to transition to a different period of your life. The two important things that you need to know are: that you are loved and you will always have a home. These two things will never change.

Our lives will change; some may be for the better and others may just be different.  Our van rides will be missing that fifth part in our perfect harmony. Our dinner table discussions will be missing your witty banter and insight. “What’s cooler than being cool? Being a Morgan” - the Morgan kids.

These last 18 years have been a wonder to watch. Take what you have learned and make it your own. Your mother and I are very proud of you.  You will always be my Precious Angel.

With all my heart I wish you blessings of Peace, Love, and Happiness,

Dad

miracles of life

“People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle.” Thay

Today, I choose to take the time to recognize the miracles that are abundant in my life.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

just understanding

“When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you
don’t blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not
doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or
less sun. You never blame the lettuce. Yet if we have
problems with our friends or family, we blame the other
person. But if we know how to take care of them, they will
grow well, like the lettuce. Blaming has no positive
effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reason
and argument. That is my experience. No blame, no
reasoning, no argument, just understanding. If you
understand, and you show that you understand, you can
love, and the situation will change”
― Thay

Today, I choose the path of understanding without reasoning, blaming or arguements.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

my belongings

“My actions are my only true belongings.” Thay

My house, my car, and all my stuff are not my true belongings, these are things that identify who I am. He is the man that lives in the white house or drives the blue Chevy or …They are items that complicate and control my life by the amount of time, energy, and money needed for proper maintenance.  The way I treat myself and others is the true nature of who I am. I attempt the actions of loving kindness in my speech and deep mindful listening with the hopes that they will become my true belongings. Today I choose to focus on my actions.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston 

happiness here and now

“The amount of happiness that you have depends on the amount of freedom you have in your heart.” Thay

A true and simple statement, yet not easy. My mind sometimes travels down the road of doubt, anxiety, fear, and … when this happens I hold my own heart captive. The practice of mindfulness in this present moment can free the heart and mind, by viewing life in the here and now. The past is gone and the future has yet to arrive, all I have is this present moment. By focusing on my breathing I can bridge my thoughts to my reality. Today, I choose to free my heart and experience all the happiness this present moment holds. 

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

truth

Which quotes are truth? (One is Buddhist, one Hindu, one Atheist, and two Christian) 

“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”

"Anyone who doesn't take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either."

"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."

"An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it."

"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom."

I believe truth is found when we seek it. Today, I choose to seek the truth in my life.

Blessings of Peace and Love.

Preston

the rule to a happy marriage or partnership

“A successful partnership is not a 50/50 relationship, it is a 75/75.” David Ford

I remember when David said this to me. I was confused. I said “75% and 75% would be 150%”. David said, “yes, a successful partnership is more than a 100%.”

I sometimes hear a husband say, “she does not do this or that.” I respond by asking “what are your wife’s wants and needs, and have you done everything possible to meet those needs?” When one partner starts to exceeds 50% it is just a matter of time when the other partner responds in like measure. This is the true secret to a happy successful partnership. Today, I seek to reach my 75% in my marriage with Wezie.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

true love mantras

·            Dear one, I am here for you

·            Dear one, I know that you are here, and it makes me very happy

·            Dear one, I know that you are suffering, that is why I am here for you

·            Dear one, I am suffering, please help.

The four mantras from Thay’s book “True Love” have opened a renewed closeness for Wezie and me. The joy and warmth I feel as she utters one of these mantras is pure bliss. Every morning I look deeply into Wezie’s eyes and as I hear her speak, I experience comfort and peace. Today, I choose a love that is mindful.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

conquering self

“It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.” Buddha

I struggle when applying this principle to my life; my ego gets in the way. Conquering my self would mean to admit that I am wrong…that I am not perfect… that I AM human. The first step in realizing that we are human is to realize we are impermanent. We are not here forever. Today I choose to realize that I am human, the first step in conquering self.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

The Maritimes Shared Happiness

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” Buddha

These words were written some 2000 years before the current Europeans inhabited the Maritimes. How could have Siddhartha Gautama known that the heart beat of humanity would be located some 1200 KM away. This past year has been a journey that I will forever cherish. Though my Twitter exploits, I have seen the best that humanity has to offer. This last outpouring of love towards my daughter has me in awe of The Maritimes. Although I am a CFA, today I choose to embrace their spirit and open my heart by sharing my happiness with the world.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

Compassion

“Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little.” Buddha

Yesterday I sent a direct message to a number of Twitter friends. (people that live over 3000 miles away and that I have never personally met) I was taking a shot in the dark. I really didn’t know how or what I was asking. I just knew I didn’t have the answer. I received many positive responses. One young woman’s response gave my family hope. Her compassion was beautiful. She took the time to answer questions. Yesterday, I was on the receiving end of compassion. Today, I choose to show compassion for others. 

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

Our Journey

“It is better to travel well than to arrive.” Buddha

This truth reminds me of how blind we can be to the impermanence of our lives. Our lives can be viewed as a train ride. Our anticipation for that next station controls our thoughts. “I can’t wait till I’m a teenager or I’m 16 so I can drive or 21 to become legal… and yes even 65 so I can retire.” Our challenge is not to look forward waiting for the next station, but to look all around you discovering the beauty of being 12, 15, 20 and 64. This journey has only one direction.  Today I choose to be mindful of May 6, 2012.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston 

Beautiful Self

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay)

When counseling young people I share the root of this quote quite often. It is important to be who you are and to accept yourself rather than be accepted by others while wearing a mask. Your true nature cannot be long hidden. When we learn to accept ourselves we then can accept others for who they are. Today, I choose to love and accept myself. 

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

Live today

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” Buddha

This is a principle I have read and studied for a couple of years. It seems straight forward and easy, but it takes a great deal of patience and mindfulness. Sometimes I do dwell on the past with things I’ve said or done and people I may not have treated properly… Sometimes my thoughts are focused on the future, about problems that could and sometimes do arise. Every moment that I focus on the past or future is lost time. It is time that I rob myself of this present moment. For today will never come again. These 24 hours are precious. So today I choose to focus and live May 4, 2012.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston 

Lessons from my daughter

"Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence." Buddha

As a father, I strive to be all things for my family. I realize this is a unattainable goal, yet I continue. My PA (Precious Angel) is in the middle of true chaos and I am unable to end her suffering. This brings great pain to my heart. When I woke this morning Bekah had placed a note and gift beside my chair. Her  act of pure love and compassion towards my suffering was a peaceful healing. Bekah is doing more than striving on with diligence she is on the path towards mindfulness. This brings great joy to my heart.

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston

Anger transformed by Love

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” Buddha

Yesterday I was reminded of this quote. I had anger in my heart. I was troubled by the perception of how one of my own children had been treated. I wanted to lash out, but instead Wezie showed me two videos. http://www.paws4thor.com/ (please watch the two videos to the right) I began to cry. The anger was transformed to love and compassion. 

“Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.” Buddha

Blessings of Peace and Love,

Preston