your list of happy-making things

I'm writing today to say Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for being part of this journey with me!

2020 has been many things, and has certainly contributed to a few new possibilities with Bowing to Elephants, especially with the podcast that I will be releasing early next year.

So I thank you for supporting me.

And I also want to share some wisdom that came from some wild turkeys in Woodacre, California, home to Spirit Rock Meditation Center, where I’ve done many residential retreats.

As we sat in meditation, our teacher, Jack Kornfield, habitually invited us stay present so we could recognize all those life moments that make us happy… and thus discover gratitude.

I recently created a little list of some “happy things”.

it kept growing as I wrote!

• Cooking

• Walking by the ocean

• Watching Peaches the faithful dog

• Being with Jackson the old Maine Coon cat

• Listening to JS Bach

• Viewing the wild parrots

• Drinking cappuccino in North Beach with a friend

• Eating homemade cherry chocolate ice cream

• Making Caesar salad

• Knitting

• Watching MASH reruns on TV

• Burning sandalwood incense

• A long meditation in early morning

• Telling old stories

I seem to choose these moments with regularity because I, like you and all humans, desire happiness!

What is your list of happy things?

I'd love to know!

Wishing you a caring, peaceful time this holiday, whether you're with family and friends or on your own..

With gratitude,

Mag