My family enjoys making homemade gifts for friends and family. Just for fun we made eatkamloops.org labels for our gifts.
Back in December 2009, I wrote:
I dream about a world where my needs can be met without those needs costing someone else dearly. I dream about food that will nourish the body and community that will nourish the spirit. I dream about producing food for our families in a way that won?t cost ?the world”. I dream about a world where our children are surrounded by a caring loving community that thinks about our shared future.
How do we become more enlightened about our behaviors so we can live our dreams? How can we change our thinking so our actions will follow? Maybe we need to just ?buy into? a new vision. Of course, this vision isn?t new but very old. Maybe we need to learn how to tame our technology and harness our brilliance. All the answers are out there, we just have to apply them.
How are you dreaming in the new year?
Traditionally, these long nights have been for resting, watching for the signs, and planning the new year. Beyond the action of planning is the action of envisioning. Beyond envisioning is the act of creation.
Many powerful forces have been working on me these dark nights. I cannot say what these forces will bring in the new year, but 2012 looks to be a very special time.
Erika enjoying her Christmas morning. We are still trying to keep Christmas simple.
Here are my projects for this winter:
1. I am working through the ten week program as outlined in The Presence Process: A Journey into Present Moment Awareness by Michael Brown. I sit twice a day and just try to be present.
2. I am working through the Wilderness Awareness School’s Kamana courses. I have joined their 8 Shield Village Online Community which seems like an oxymoron to me, but who knows, maybe it will work. I have found a beautiful “sit spot” near my home in the industrial park. I am spending some nights in my tent getting used to cold Kamloops nights.
3. I am converting my synthetic clothing to natural products. I haven’t been cold since I found a pair of Danish army surplus wool pants. I am learning about weaving, felting and knitting. I am trying to learn the fiber making plants in my bioregion.
4. I am doing research. I am watching the signs which lead my research to sometimes strange and wondrous places. I have found a number of traditional patterns: trade cloth dress, capote, and moccasins. I am reading every book I can find about Tom Brown and trying out wilderness survival skills.
5. I have convinced the family to take three days off each week. We are going to spend the time up in Sunpeaks. I have never wanted to downhill ski but the hill is a great opportunity to get outside in high elevation. The exercise, fresh air, and time off is the salve my family needs at this time.
Lastly, I want to share what has moved me. Occasionally, I go the Birken in Kamloops events. This month Ajahn Sona spoke on making your life into an act of art. He talked about Joshua Bell playing in a Washington, DC subway and almost no one noticed. (I will link to the dhamma talk when it is available.) I loved his talk. I was moved to tears.
Lastly, I would like to share my sister Christine’s 2011 Solstice Greeting. Rest, watch for the signs, build an artful life and don’t worry if no one notices.
