Hi Roberta,

Formal practice? None before. But now, I would like to believe I am one a better path. Not the right one but a better one. Hopefully my understanding has improved.

Every once in a while, I feel the need for a drink. Use to smoke cigarettes but quit about 22 years ago when my daughter was born. Use to have dreams of smoking. The drink just provides for a different mood. I don’t drink to get drunk. Just a little tipsy. At worse, once in a weekend. Not every weekend. Not dependent upon it. I have more of a coffee addiction than alcohol.

Practice seems to come in many forms. First is the sitting practice. Spending 30 minutes each day just sitting. Then there is the practice to carry that mind set forward into daily life. Whether sitting on a bench waiting for the bus or sitting in a doctor’s waiting room, always be present. It doesn’t mean not thinking or the mind being somewhere else. But, being here in this moment. Not distracted by thoughts which pull one away from here. But, this practice comes and goes with the energy surrounding me.

I too appreciate the forum for allowing space to talk to others of similar thoughts. And for being able to help others on their journey. Anita seems to be a moving force here. Very strong and capable of compassion. Of course this doesn’t exclude the others here who also help provide a warm space of hope. Shout out to those here with a kind word to spare.

Be well and hope all is good for you and yours.
Tommy

Hello Roberta,

Wow, that sounds so nice. People stopping by to hang out. Meeting relatives for day trip. Meeting new people for a kindness meditation, sounds ideal. When I see very old topics or posts, it makes me not want to post cause the topic is either too long or too old to be of concern to even the original poster. Sorry, that is just me. Then there is the fact that old posts push the new ones down and they disappear. So don’t even see the current posts. Then don’t bother to look for it. Still I understand Anita reasons for doing that. Can’t criticize or be overly judgy.

Peace with my wife is like a tsunami at the beach. Tempers flair and then when it passes, the wreckage is vast. Later things get back to normal. Marriage isn’t all wine and roses. Maybe I need a drink. Haven’t had one in a long time. Oh, my meditation comes and goes with the peace in my family. Sometimes good and sometimes lacking. But, thanks for the well wishes.

Hello Alessa,

Truly missed you. Was hoping everything is still okay. Hope your people are healthy, happy and safe. Yeah, daughter went to graduation. Helping her with transferring to a 4 year college after 2 year community college. All to finish 4 years of college and begin looking for a teaching job. Then later must complete her masters to stay a teacher. I am really proud of her. And I let her know it.

The wife and I are in the aftermath of a verbal disagreement about who does more work. And of course, I backed down and apologized. I keep the peace. Doesn’t matter who is right. I just want peace. After a little while things will cool off. Life will return to peace.

So, how is the baby? Growing up too fast? Day care? Do you read to him? Show him the words and read? Well, I hope all is good.

Yeah, people get busy and come and go. It would be nice to hear from them and maybe get a few new voices hear. Still very concerned about Laven. Hope she is doing better. As I believe I said, I don’t think you are doing anything to disrupt the forum. Just that all the older topics and posts seem to rule when you bring them all back. It could be a good thing to raise them back up. Maybe someone needs to see a sign? I don’t know. Anyway, you do you cause I know it comes from the heart. Wish you well.

I realize that Anita is a very special person here. She has helped so many people. But, I do have one small criticism. She has constantly been bringing back old posts back up. It has a tendency to make me think that the other current set people who are here are not being considered. So, they just don’t bother to add anything. Whatever they post gets drowned and pushed away when so many of old posts are pushed to the front. Why post if no one will get to read them? And the old post don’t necessarily mean anything to the current set of people who were here?

I understand the reason for doing this. Not to forget these other people. To try to bring them back. Well, I don’t knowhow that is going. It just makes me just not want to post anything. But, that may be just me. So, I will take my negativity and leave. Maybe come back another day to gripe about something else. Wouldn’t want to do anything to make Anita mad at me.

I personally wish you, all who have been here and replied to me, a great day and may all your wishes and dreams come true.

Hello Anita,

Nice story. Been busy with taking care of the daughter and wife. Daughter is going from community college to a four year college to finish her BA. Bigger college and lots of unknowns. Wife is working and looking forward to vacation time. I am just trying to be supportive.

Hope you and yours are well and Bogart is behaving well. Can say much since things have been quiet for me.

Tommy