Keep Your Eye on the Door

The monks next initiation

was frightful.

So many fellows

had not made it through

the hall of distractions.

He was next and

terrified of getting lost in there.

He asked his mentor for advice.

“keep your eye on the door

on the far side” he said.

Following that advice,

our monk entered the hall to

hails from friends,

so many glittering options.

But he did not take

his eye off the door.

He made it…..

initiation successful.

And you...

What defines your door,

as our life of

shoulds and to do’s

hails us in each moment?

Is your door

simply breathing

love in, love out?

Is your door

acts of kindness?

Or following the

still small voice within?

Is it meditating each day?

Are you keeping your eye

On your door?

Lizette Estelle Stiehr,

January 14, 2012

VALDEZ, ALASKA

Imagine,

in order to go

outside and play

you go the garage

and get an 8 foot ladder.

You open the ladder,

in a narrow plowed driveway

against the snowbank

that is your front yard.

Children climb the ladder,

strap on little snowshoes,

and hop

on top

of their yard

to play.

Wow.

Lizette Estelle Stiehr

January 12, 2012

I am in contact with friend in Valdez. This "story" and the pictures are thanks to Kristen Anderson.

Ordering Joy

The barista smiles

as I order

“Hot chocolate please

and hold the hot chocolate,

extra whipped cream

and sprinkles”.

A “drink” for a five year old,

unspillable in the car.

Coloring outside the lines.

Asking for dessert first,

asking for what you really want.

Asking for what will

bring you joy.

I wish we could

all so easily order

what brings us joy.

Lizette Estelle Stiehr

January 1, 2012