Today
This day
I vow
to try
to take in only thoughts
that water
in me seeds
of yes
and joy
and peace
and I’m OK
in my consciousness

and with the paintbrush
of my mind
just brush away
the thoughts
of doubt
and fear
when they arise

and to truly look
and take in
with open eyes
and ears
the beauty that is there
every moment

And to hold
the suffering that I see
today
with understanding
and compassion
surrounded and
protected by
the Bodhisattva
Quan The Am

Today
This day
may I remember
to go back
to my breath
listening only
to the sound of silence
and
the rising tide

Making space
for whatever arises…
from deep
within my heart

Thank you dear Thay.

By Judith Myerson 

Today
This day
I vow
to try
to take in only thoughts
that water
in me seeds
of yes
and joy
and peace
and I’m OK
in my consciousness

and with the paintbrush
of my mind
just brush away
the thoughts
of doubt
and fear
when they arise

and to truly look
and take in
with open eyes
and ears
the beauty that is there
every moment

And to hold
the suffering that I see
today
with understanding
and compassion
surrounded and
protected by
the Bodhisattva
Quan The Am

Today
This day
may I remember
to go back
to my breath
listening only
to the sound of silence
and
the rising tide

Making space
for whatever arises…
from deep
within my heart

Thank you dear Thay.
The way is clear.

Judy Myerson, True Wonderful Jewels, is a semi-retired psychotherapist and former botanist/ plant scientist who loves spending time in nature with birds, plants, and all her nonhuman relations. She is doing her best to address the climate crisis through Joanna Macy’s “The Work that Reconnects” and Extinction Rebellion NYC. She began practicing in the Plum Village tradition in 1991 and currently lives in Pine Bush, New York, US. She practices with the multifold community at Blue Cliff Monastery, the Spring Creek Sangha, and the Earth Holder Community online Sangha.