That’s what the Buddhists say to do, to head into the fear, the doubt, the inertia, the pain, as if it is life’s greatest adventure to get to the other side.  Or no, to forget and give up the idea that there is another side to it.  But that’s a goal into itself isn’t it?  To “achieve” the enlightenment that there is no other side to suffering.  I’ll leave that theological conundrum to the scholars.

Today I head into jury service–that’s certainly diving into someone’s despair, making a decision on someone’s life based on the “facts” presented.  We all know that the facts are one sided–from each side.  I see that everywhere I go: my daughter inviting a feuding brother and father to her birthday party, playing hookey from work to indulge in a thrilling day with my honey, working hard at a job that seems to go into the abyss without acknowledgment.  Each of these perceptions are from my point of view.

Perhaps today I’ll dive into the day and allow myself just to watch for Creation’s Delight in every thing, person, situation in front of me.  Like a movie, asking myself what is the message here, what is the scene, the set-up, the build up, the transformation of characters.

In the end, it is my diving form, I guess, that spurs me on to compete against myself.  How well can I listen better and better every day. 

To that end, I will keep this vision: on a little trusty scooter, riding endlessly on the empty beach.  The waves roaring and thundering and foaming and pulling and pushing and tenderly ebbing and flowing on one side.  Dunes of scrapy grasses gripping the moving earth shielding all civilization on the other side.  Before me and behind me the fog–stealing all signs of the world.  I am in Heaven at all times.