Back from the FoV Keeper's Retreat

Much opportunity for growth happened.

Various discomforts were confronted and faced, and nobody died. I noticed a bunch of places where I might want to grow. So far, so good.

I also stumbled into some really unexpected good experiences. As usual, I started out pretty hesitant, but relaxed and was able to explore something new---several new things---when opportunities presented themselves.

A. and K. continue to pull me and prod me into becoming a much more whole, self-accepting human being.

More and more, I am convinced that my job is to relax as much as possible, stay open to possibilities and notice whatever's unfolding without imposing any kind of agenda on the world---unless, of course, I am teaching something.

Nope, not even then. See entry above.

Happy Late Birthday, radiant_one!

I love your willingness to grow, even when you are afraid. Especially when you are afraid. I want to be like that! May your next year be wonderful, amazing, and full of new possibilities.

Happy Birthday!

Surprise!

I'm doing a manuscript review for a peer-reviewed journal, and because these are very detailed write-ups that often make significant suggestions for revision, I pulled up all my old reviews in preparation. Just now, I stumbled on an odd realization. Last month I reviewed the book manuscript of a colleague I've never met. Her area overlaps significantly with mine, so it makes sense that both of her manuscripts made their way to me, but how did I forget that I reviewed her major article as well as her book?
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On the other hand, the Tao te Ching says that this is not so strange. I look to it to help me make sense of the world, and show me examples worthy of following. By its reckoning, perhaps this absent-mindedness is not so bad:

Therefore the Master
acts without doing anything
and teaches without saying anything.
Things arise and she lets them come;
things disappear and she lets them go.
She has but doesn't possess,
acts but doesn't expect.
When her work is done, she forgets it.
That is why it lasts forever.

2, Tao te Ching: A new English version, Stephen Mitchell

On the whole, this is not a bad model for living one's life.

On the whole, I think it is a good thing. It's better to appreciate its benefits than kick myself for being absent-minded.