清明寄语

2020.3.30

六头，

又是细雨纷纷的清明了。今年她会悄悄然地与我们擦肩而过，没有飞烟缭绕，没有熙熙攘攘，而是在静默中黯然度过… 近来人间阴雨绵绵，但我相信，你的世界依然鲜花遍地，阳光普照，恬静和谐！

这一年多来，我细细体味着灵魂深处一种真正的孤独。没有怨恨，没有惆怅，只是一种真真切切的感受而已。佛告诉我，西方极乐世界的人能感受到世间人极其细微的思绪。我坚信，感应道交在你我之间永存！

今年清明原本没想写什么，觉得一切尽在无言与默契之中。但今天看了一个西藏航拍的视频，再次唤醒我们曾经的契约：今生一起踏足青藏高原，一起目睹珠峰之美！视频挺长，但我耐心看完了它的一分一秒，也替你尽兴品味了。你一定能感受到那种震撼，那种平静中的震撼。这也算我们共同完成了契约中的西藏之行吧！

这几个月我花了很多时间读《心经》和《金刚经》，从中得到了极深的启示。读诵间我常常想起你，幻想着跟你交流的乐趣，更渴望能得到你的点拨。也许你能聆听到我的心念与问询，感受到我的疑惑与彷徨；也许，也许有一天，我的悟性提高，能领会到你的悟导和教诲，从远方，从那最最虚空的远方…

长亭外，古道边，芳草碧连天；

问君此去几时还，来时莫徘徊。

天之涯，地之角，知交半零落；

人生难得是欢聚，惟有别离多…

汤培

Can we close the gap?

I might have watched this TED Talk 4-5 times over the years, and I have always been inspired by Bill Gates’s devotion in global health.  As we live through the current global pandemic, and as we reflect back on what Gates had laid out so clearly for us 5 years ago, I am once again convinced that there is a huge gap between the information presented to us and our ability to ACT!  Hopefully we can learn to close this gap. 

The next outbreak? We’re not ready | Bill Gates

 

Letting Go of Photography???

It's scary to think about it.  But honestly, I have been contemplating it for a long time.

The thought entered my head again in Yellowstone, when I had to hike 31 miles in 4 days in treacherous deep snow, carrying about 30 pounds of camera gears!!

I wondered if, one day, I can really let go of my beloved cameras, lenses, and just travel with an iPhone or a small mini SLR camera.  I can really open my eyes wide to see the world -- bright and clear -- not through the small viewfinder in the back of a camera. 

CAN I???

This is not an easy question to answer, AND, it's easier said than done!!!  Hard for me to describe the thought process here, but let me mark the calendar today to allow myself three years to complete this transformation -- mentally and emotionally.  It can almost be called a revolution, in a spiritual way -- to develop the ability to live a simple, happy life and let go of everything!

CAN I???

Winter Wonderland (1)

Look at Yellowstone, you can see the transformation of the earth - the rage and violent collisions of water, fire, heat and snow...

Yellowstone, MT

January, 2020

Winter Wonderland

Listen to Yellowstone, you can hear echoes of the past and whispers of the future...

Yellowstone, MT
January 6, 2020

 

Happy 2020 Chelle!!

December 31, 2019

Dear Dr. Michelle,

Happy 2020!!

I still vividly remember that, for many years in the past, on each New

Year’s Eve, I’d carefully craft a note for you, wishing you to grow

healthily to reach your full potential in life.

Today, as we say good-bye to 2019, I am deeply touched by a note you

wrote in May 2007, when you were 17:

      What makes America great is the possibility we are taught to believe

      in; the optimistic conditioning we receive.  We are raised with

      idealism so that when we think for ourselves, we think so far and so

      wide.  We are trained to see opportunities in every situation.  We are

      trained to see the dream.

      And with that “eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible,”

      we dream with faith and confidence – and believe that we can

      accomplish anything. 

      That is greatness in itself.

I trust that this level of optimism and confidence will continue to be the

cornerstone for you to build a solid foundation for life.  Embrace the

future, Michelle, and reach your own special stars.

  

Love,

Mom

The Impossible Row

It's fascinating to follow Colin O’Brady’s Impossible Row across The Drake Passage - the most dangerous waters in the world, between South America and Antarctica, over 600 treacherous miles!

This expedition will be a battle against the coldest, roughest waters, plus freezing temperatures and swells that can tower up to 50-feet high. With no motors or sails, the crew must work 24-hours-a-day, rotating around the clock with little-to-no-sleep.

Today is Day 2 of the expedition.