Thinking Out Loud

A dream of mine is finally becoming reality. I have long desired to help rehabilitate people in prison. I don't agree with prison as punishment. I believe prison should be a place of healing, introspection, growth, education, and change. I want to shut the revolving prison door. There are many ways I've dreamed of doing this. First, and foremost, I want to focus on prevention. A wise man once said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." And since "hurting people hurt people" we must intercept those who are "at-risk" so they don't continue down the path to incarceration. How can we possibly intervene? There isn't "one" way to do this. My ideas center around activity. I want to create after-school and summer programs where kids can interact and belong in a safe, stable, loving place. It would look like an open gym. I see myself helping children discover their unique talents, interests, and gifts. I wrap them in love...

I'm intrigued with equanimity . I want to exude equanimity. For those unfamiliar with what it means, here is the definition: mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation The author of a book I'm reading talked about how his cat so perfectly displayed equanimity the other day when a dog came charging at it as he was outside on the front lawn. The cat didn't bolt. No, the cat simply sat tall, eyes fixed straightforward. The dog stopped it's charge and skidded to a stop with his front paws in the face of such equanimity. Tail tucked, the dog wheeled around and darted for home. That, my friends, is the power of equanimity. The dog was taken aback by the cat's majestic response. Cat's aren't supposed to exhibit such coolness of character in the face of threat. Because the dog expected the cat to turn tail and run, he didn't know what to do when the cat didn't react instinctively.  We too, like that cool cat,...

I just heard a story I want to always remember. It's about a woman who lived a Tao-centered life. She came upon a precious stone while sitting by the banks of a running stream. She placed the highly valued stone in her bag. The next day, a hungry traveler approached the woman and asked for something to eat. As she reached into her bag for a crust of bread, the traveler saw the precious stone and imagine how it would provide him with financial security for the remainder of his life. He asked the woman to give the treasure to him, and she did, along with some food. He left, ecstatic over his good fortune and the knowledge that he was now secure. A few days later the traveler returned and handed back the stone to the wise woman. "I've been thinking," he told her. "Although I know how valuable this is, I'm returning it to you in the hopes that you could give me something even more precious." "What would that be?" the woman inquired. "P...