Amen and gorgeous flower! Thank you for sharing both!

Let the harmony grow and with a brilliance as the flower! I love your blog.

Beautifully said - would that all would take the words to heart. The flower is breathtaking.

Just being kind and generous to one another would be all we needed to remedy so much of mankind's woes. Thanks for your most thoughtful words...especially those in the reply to your Dad.

The hibiscus (?) blossom is magnificent! Your treat to us as winter approaches.....

Remaining calm, non-judgmental/non-reactive is part of slogging through the utter madness of much that is occurring now, nationally & internationally. It easily seems overwhelming. The inward work is the first step for me; action in the world takes many forms, and as has been said, kindness is a primary action we all can take everywhere. Many times a day we have a choice to contribute to regaining sanity in our world. A thousand baby steps, and if that is all we can muster, I think--I hope--it can be enough, right here and right now.

p.s. I join the crowd (from your last post) in cheering "hip-hip" that you have returned to blogging!--we missed you those weeks you were absent. Happy to report that recovery has been swift and at 8 weeks out, I am feeling well. I am CERTAIN your dear sweet call to me in the hospital, and the well-wishes of others here, were a big boost in that direction.

With respect to your heart's desire to spread peace and loving kindness to the world, to foster meaningful change, I would like to share the following, chanted at Upaya (Santa Fe, NM) at the end if the day:

Let me respectfully remind you:
Life and death are of supreme importance,
Time passes swiftly and opportunity is lost.
Let us awaken, awaken. Take heed:
Do not squander your life.

Sans doubte, Bill, you are living out this reminder and are opening a circle of like-minded others to support one another.

"Hooray"

Gorgeous red hibiscus! I have been surprised to find that I can grow some of my Florida plants here in Alabama although some must be planted in flowerpots and brought inside or to a protected area during winter. As a comment on the step you would like to take to be comfortably poor or living with the bare necessities as the bear sang in the Disney song, I believe that is the best view of material goods. I'm sure you have noticed that some people are happy with very little money while the opposite is true with some who have very much. Here is an idea for pursuit. Why not interview some "have nots" who are happy? Also, why not talk to some of the "got rocks" who are happy and have kept their balance? What fulfills these people? Next thing you know, you will have Bill's documentary going. Why not? But don't forget to include the beautiful flowers! Love them, love them!

"Acting" self-realized may not be enough. There's something to be said about "being", when others can tell simply by your actions and attitude that you've arrived in part of your own quest for knowledge of self. Thank you for your positivity and words of encouragement.

Sharon - Wow, I am so flattered by your words ... Thank You!

You're poem reminds me how much I wanna be in Kauai...to see you again and let my spirit soar with the beauty and warmth of the island.
After reading your meaningful words, I had an inspirational moment and a bright new idea for what I can bring to the island. Thank you for sharing yourself with all of us.