DROPS OF WISDOM: Beautiful Qualities

Warm spring greetings from ToDo.

I don’t quite understand how so much time has slipped by, but here we are on May 8th. I hope you’ve been remembering to enjoy your life, while also managing your life, during these past weeks of spring. Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that these two modes are not mutually exclusive. They are "intertwineable".

We appreciate the camaraderie and the shared interest in living with purpose, appreciation, and compassion. Thanks for being part of our community.

With love,

Linda

BEAUTIFUL QUALITIES

by Linda Anderson Krech

Most of us are interested in cultivating admirable and beautiful qualities. Often we notice and learn from our experiences with one another, either by being inspired by a positive example or being turned off by a negative one.?We influence each other in subtle and not-so-subtle ways all the time.

But this kind of influence is not strictly limited to our human relationships. In fact, these days it is the company of our dogs that is noticeably inspiring and instructive to me.?Our dogs are helping us to become better versions of ourselves. We benefit from the natural and positive qualities that they so beautifully embody – their patience, loyalty, playfulness, forgiveness, and love.?And joy.??

For example, if you even glance at our?puppy, Betty, or say one word to her, her tail will wag, without exception, without hesitation.?Her basic orientation toward life is happiness.?It is her nature to be cheerful and to communicate her love of life all day long. She can’t pretend to be different than she is.?Her tail gives her away. It’s uplifting to be around her puppy positivity.??

Though she can't smile (though she actually does a little bit), I can't wag at all.?But wagging and smiling are basically the same.?We each have our own way of expressing the same kind of thing.?And because of her happy nature, I spontaneously smile more, I decide to smile more, and I remember to smile more. To smile is to remind myself that I am alive, and that I am part of the big mystery.?It is to remind you of the same thing.?It helps us to remember that we can actually enjoy ourselves, while taking care of our lives and solving our problems. Though Betty might not be so philosophical about it, she'd wag in approval if I explained it to her.

Ella, our grandpuppy, is not a big wagger.?She saves her wags for special moments, but she is my acceptance teacher. (Ella lost much of her kidney function recently due to lyme nephritis, but I’m happy to report that she . . .?

Continue Reading > > >?

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT TODO?

New Roof!

We just made arrangements to have a new roof put on! It will be a standing seam metal roof, and we're thrilled that this work is now scheduled.?Thanks to the support of our members and donors, we are making progress on the house and grounds work that is needed here at ToDo. Many thanks to all!

Quote for Today

An animal’s eyes have the power?to speak a great language.

– Martin Buber

Vermont Residential Certification

Monkton, Vermont

Sept. 22 – 28, 2024

with Gregg & Linda Krech

Germany Residential Certification

Bavaria, Germany

Oct. 20 - 27, 2024

with Gregg Krech & Sabine Kaspari

This 7-day Residential Certification Program?is our most comprehensive educational opportunity.??

The program provides an opportunity for you to step back from your day-to-day life, immerse yourself in the wisdom and beauty of Japanese Psychology, reflect on your life, develop new practices, soften your heart,?challenge your stories,?activate your senses,?savor nature's beauty, and become an integral part of this year’s residential community.

It is a rich and empowering curriculum, drawing mental health professionals, educators, health practitioners, as well as the general public, in search of the best way to spend their "30,000 days".?

“Prepare for lots of inspiring teachings?and?thoughtful talks that reach down?into the depth of your being. Expect?many lively debates that make you come alive?100%, experimental cuisine on a daily basis, very interesting dinner table?conversations indeed, tons of warmth and support from the people around you,?a good deal of subtle and sometimes less subtle guidance by Linda and Gregg. Don’t hesitate a second to register for it.?It’s money and time very well spent.”?— Barbara Buri, Switzerland

We'd love to have you join us!

Contact Linda for further information:?[email protected] / 802-453-4440

PRACTICE OF THE WEEK

Critical Critique

Any time you find yourself being judgmental and critical of others this week, consider when you might have been guilty of the same thing that you are criticizing others for. If you find such examples, it might defuse some of your self-righteous energy.

If it doesn't, look for something different but similar, that you were guilty of in the past -- something that will help you get down off your high horse and be on equal footing with others, in the land of human imperfection.