Celebrate life, celebrate death

Today was the most wonderful of birthdays, but also came the news this morning of my husband's dear friend passing. As I was feeling so good to be alive, we mourned the death of a way too young musician in LA. I thought for a long time about how after 32 years I have finally found myself, and that I am so happy to have the life left to now express who I am. Every day counts people...every day counts.

Check out Joe's website. Beautiful.....

http://josephtobinmusic.com/

32...hopefully going on 6 months!

Happy 6 month birthday to my little sweetie Omi! If it's possible, this darling girl gets happier and happier each day that goes by. I find myself fascinated with how pure and innocent she is each moment of the day, but then sometimes it seems that she knows a lot more in that baby body than I'm giving her credit for! She greets every soul around her with ecstatic smiles, and really, how amazing is that? Those of us yearning for human growth are trying to destroy any learned judgements, limitations, fears, and beliefs. Maybe we have a thing or two to learn from a 6 month old, who knows nothing of any of that. And so as I appraoch my 32nd birthday this week, I ask myself, "how can I be more like Omi?"

Temporary or Permanent Happiness...

One of my closest friends has had her brother and his girlfriend in town since Christmas Eve. A few years ago, this visiting couple actually lived here in Denver for about 6 months, so I became close to them myself (prompting my strategized escapes out of babyland to sneak a few visits with them). Along with my friend, they stopped over tonight to say goodbye before their flight back to San Diego in the morning. As usual, the conversation starts flowing, and there just is a genuine happiness in the air. Doesn't hurt that the Christmas tree is still up to enhance the holiday spirit. My friend spoke about how amazing it was to have them in town, and it got me thinking. Is it possible to achieve that level of happiness and then keep it even after all of the holidays are over, or the visitors have left? Would it be silly to even strive for it? Or should we just stay consciously buddhist about it and surrender to the ebb and flow of moods? I also have to wonder if it would be somewhat boring to be in that state of happiness all of the time. I am not even sure that I actually have an opinion on this at the time of writing this, but I will be thinking more about it. And in the meantime...enjoy every precious moment of happiness, whether it's temporary or permanent...