Even in the deepest of the long dark nights a spark of light remains to keep the promise of life renewed. Winter solstice, marking the beginning of the harshest weather of winter also marks the addition of sunlight daily even if only a minute or two per day. Irregardless of the actual birth of Christ, the symbolical Christmas occurs at this time to encourage us to hold onto the light. The overblown commercial aspect of the season could be viewed as the paramita of generosity come to life at least for the duration of the season.

I heard a reggae type song on NPR the other evening chanting in reggae rhythm, "All I want for Christmas is more consciousness." That is what I want for myself, for you and for the World.



Text © 2004 Mona E. Dunn

Last night I had one of those bad dreams about working in a restaurant. When I tried to tell the other waitresses they were not sure I was telling them about a dream or just another hectic night on the floor.You would have to have been a waitress to understand. All waitresses have these unresolved issues that haunt us occasionally in our sleep, trying against all odds to serve a simple meal. I won't bore you with all the details of the dream, but suffice it to say I was working frantically behind the scenes to get the meal served in a timely manner with all the essential components missing.

Well, the point of the story is that while explaining the dream to my friends I recalled towards the end that no matter how hard I tried to get the meal together there was always another obstacle to completion. At this point I was starting to wake up and realized that this was a way out of the situation. Believe it or not I decided to stay asleep and pursue a resolution! Why would I feel obligated to stay asleep until the dream is finished rather than wake up? What was I waiting for with the opportunity to leave the struggle behind imminent? Must we finish the dream before we can wake up?



Text © 2004 Mona E. Dunn

Beautiful Morning Sky

Our life's work is to use what we have been given to wake up....Whatever you're given can wake you up or put you to sleep. That's the challenge of now: what are you going to do with what you already have? Let everything that enters into the circle wake you up rather than put you to sleep by being open, curious and letting it teach you because it won't go away until you learn your lesson.

From: Wisdom of No Escape - Pema Chodron


Text © 2004 Mona E. Dunn

You know you're in Wyoming when...






Text © 2004 Mona E. Dunn