I always make a holiday donation to a favorite organization. One year it was Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital, a non profit animal medical center, one year it was Compa, a Christian food ministry, last year it was Food Bank of the Rockies. This year it is ‘The Gathering Place’, a homeless day shelter for women and children. I then email friends that (in liey of gifts, a donation has been made to that organization. Everyone benefits. http://www.the-gatheringplace.org/

Yesterday was my last day to care for my friend, Scott’s two rabbits. Today he returns from a three day business trip. Before this weekend, I really didn’t have much experience with rabbits. I have since learned that there is really an endearing quality to them. Cute as a well as smart, bunnies are also curious, active and friendly. Carlo, the smaller one, (who resembles a small burrow more than a rabbit), has come out of his shell and is becoming more outgoing. Luis (as the other one wants to be called), Is all over the place. I let them run all over the apartment (rabbit proofing Scott’s apartment by closing doors, or putting up baby gates for any unsafe area).  The rabbits got to explore, and I (bribed with peanut butter, chocolate bits and a funny video (‘Death at a Funeral’) Relaxed. A good time was had by all three of us.

When I allow myself to experience the moment, peacefully, and without analysis, I am always guided to where I need to be. This becomes more visible to me every day. The I Ching s says ‘We do without doing, and the rest gets done’. The less pressure applied, the more consistent the changes.

One of the best exercises I ever heard of comes from Oprah Winfrey. Oprah suggests making a list daily of at least three things you are grateful for. I find this practice to be extremely helpful and inspiring. I also find that doing this keeps me in a state of gratitude. When I am in this state I am more inclined to see the good in things that would otherwise just seem irritating.

I love all animals-expecially cats. My cat is 20 years old. I have never, however, taken care of bunnies (although when I was a kid, my sister had one). This week I get to watch two. ‘Carlos’ and ‘Herbert’. The rabbits are cute, funny and expressive. Carlos is black and white with a constant tilt to his head. He resembles a burro. Herbert, the more outgoing one, is beige, fluffy and cute as can be. He has a constant smirk on his face and looks more like a cartoon caricature than an acutal rabbit. This promises to be an interesting, fun experience.
Last night I dreamed I was baby sitting for two young boys and lost them. In the end, however, we were all reunited.

My sister is in stage 4 lung cancer. Sometimes I find myself responding by withdrawing. Sometimes this withdrawal entails not answering the phone (when I know she’s calling), and calling her later. Other times it means cutting the phone conversation short. A friend asked how hard it is to have a conversation with another person. Sometimes it’s hard. I hope, that as this situation continues, I will be strong for her and for myself, as well.

All kinds of events,traditions, and memories (both new and old). Every year, I always choose a charity, send them a donation, and email my friends telling them that, in lieu of gifts, a donation has been made in their name. It is a win win situation.

Scott, a close friend of mind, (instead of giving gifts), gave me the idea years ago, when he donated to ‘Make a Wish’ Foundation.

This year I plan on either donating to ‘The Dream Foundation’ or ‘American Cancer Society’.

Is something I have long wanted to do. The Buddhists have a saying ‘Faith like water, faith like fire’. Which do you think is preferable? Let me demonstrate by example. Faith like water is slow, steady, consistent. It may take longer to reach its destination, but the result is more permanent, longer lasting. Faith like fire, on the other hand, is fast and furious. It flares up, then it disappears. It may be more flashy, but it burns out quickly, its time is shorter. Life is like that. When I allow myself to develop positive habits, thought patterns and goals, by acquiring small , consistent steps, the result is longer lasting, more permanent. Maybe the destination takes longer to reach, however, the steps to get there are more steady, surer. When I go with the flow, I am able to attain my goals in a smoother less obstructed way.