Always Do Your Best

Published by Derek under Meditations/Discussions, Personal on December 30, 2008

I’ve experienced this many times before…

You start the day not thinking. You get up already thinking how you’re going to deal with your sore throat. You’re thinking about starting the day that is now ahead of you. You’re thinking about breakfast. But all the while, you’re missing out on something better… Right now.

Now I know it sounds cheesy but it’s true. When I face that realization (again and again) I start to regret and I get swept back again into some drama.

If I could stay awake,
Even after I’ve finished sleeping,
I think I might see a better vision;
A world worth changing.

As I awake this time,
The dream reforms like last time.
The great veil covers my sight;
I’m ignorant and cold.

I can see light shining
Through pinholes of manmade illusions
I’m trapped behind my fear
Pinned down by my desires

Even though I’ve seen the way,
I let myself get lost.
I keep the answers locked up
Guiding me blindly away.

I am the master.
I am the reason.
The choices are mine.

I am the master.
I am the maker.
The outcomes are mine.

I am the master.
I am eternity.
All things divine.

Always do your best.
Let the universe decide the rest.

This too will change. May all beings be happy.

Peace and Love

The Past Four Days

Published by Derek under Personal on December 23, 2008

Hey all, I just wanted to let you know that the trip is going well. We have no more snow for now and the driving is going smoothly. (I really like the 80mph speed limits in TX.) Nathan and I arrived in San Antonio last night after a 14 hours drive from Phoenix.

Phoenix was great! I was really happy to see my mom and spend some time with her. I was especially glad Nathan got to meet her too. We relaxed mostly, played with the new puppy my mom received as a surprise from Barry (my step-father), and enjoyed time with my grandparents.

Nathan and I did end up buying a new tent and sleeping bag for our backpacking adventure. I also invested in a new backpack that could fit more stuff. I wish I could carry more with me, but at least I don’t have to check this bag in an airport. I’m really taking to this new idea of carrying all I own on my back.

Another highlight of our time in AZ was visitng Nathan’s friend Jason. Jason and his friends were amazing! Nathan and I had fun with our crash course in ASL. I’m really excited to learn it someday. I just hope wherever I end up there are deaf people around who can help me learn. I’m sad we only got to spend a short time with Jason, but hopefully he’ll have the opportunity to visit us when we are in Spain.

We’ve only got two more couchsurfing destinations left on our trip (Memphis, TN and Charleston, WV).

Peace and Love

Sunny California

Published by Derek under Personal on December 18, 2008

We’ve arrived in LA on one of the six rainy days of the year! I really am glad (Nathan included) to not have to wear shoes because it’s finally not snowing for once during this trip.

After we left Utah we decided to take a detour around Lake Tahoe, which turned out to be a three-hour, nail-biting driving experience up and down two mountains during the worst blizzard I’ve ever experienced. I did think it was funny that if we had snow like that in Massachusetts the roads would have been closed, but I guess things are different here in California. I guess we should have not ignored the signs that said “CHAINS REQUIRED FOR ALL VEHICLES 4X4′S SNOW TIRES OK”, because the roads were BAD! We made it over the first mountain fine but then we got to a check point that turned us around and wouldn’t let us pass without chains on our tires. Reluctantly we bought some chains and paid some guy to put them on because I have never put them on and I didn’t want to be outside in the snow trying to figure out how. Luckily Nathan drove (which I was very happy about because I’m very scared of driving in the snow) and was amazing!!! He got us through the blizzard and over the mountains safely all the way to the San Francisco area.

Our last two nights were spent with Nathan’s friend Adam. We explored a little bit of the city, hiked through redwood forests, and climbed the rolling hills in Woodacre, CA. Today we spent the day driving down the California coast line on Highway 1. If you ever get the chance, do it! Every new turn around the bend opens up to an amazing view. Even in December the weather was great and will never forget the awesome beauty of California’s coastline.

Now we’re in LA with Adam hanging out at his place for the night. Tomorrow we’re going to go swimming in the Pacific Ocean for the first time in our lives and then we’re going to go experience a California farmers’ market. I’m glad to be on the west coast and glad to be hanging out with my good friend Adam.

Peace and Love

Fort Collins, CO

Published by Derek under Personal on December 11, 2008

The great adventure has begun. After being picked up at the Vipassana Meditation Center in MA, Nathan and I made our way to Michigan, Minnesota, and now to Colorado. We spent two nights with our friend Sara in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She and her husband gave us a very warm welcome by staying up until midnight when we arrived. We spent the next day there touring the Calvin College campus and nature reserve. We had a delicious lunch with Sara and her sister Stacy. The time we spent was too short, but I know we’ll see each other again someday.

Minnesota was just as warm a welcome. We stayed with some friends we met during the summer who were related to the owners of Silverbrook Farm. I must say we were treated like their own. The second day there Nathan and I got to go ice skating together… it was even his first time. It was fun hanging out with Hilary, Nicole, and Jessie. Downtown St. Paul wasn’t much to look at so we spent most of our time at home cooking a delicious meal for the eleven of us and spending time with our friends. Again the time spent was too short, but this vacation is constantly go go go.

The two of us are still trying to find couchsurfers for the latter leg of our trip. We’re currently at a cafe in Fort Collins waiting to meet our CSer when she’s done teaching class. After 14 hours of driving, we are both looking forward to bed. The sooner the better. Thank God Nathan can drive for many hours on end because I find it awfully difficult sometimes.

Soon enough we’ll be in Salt Lake City…

Wish us luck and beautiful weather for the rest of our trip.

Peace and Love

P.S. We saw a sign lit up with Christmas lights on the side of the road the size of a semi that read:

“Merry Christmas EAT BEEF”

Nathan made me stop and take a picture.

The Art of Living Through Vipassana

Published by Derek under Personal on December 10, 2008

It’s taken almost a year but I have finally experienced Vipassana Meditation. I don’t have much to say, but it was the best thing that has ever happened for me. I was looking for this very thing all my life. I feel like all I had learned up until then was in preparation for this experience. I can’t begin to describe how beneficial this meditation is and how I will carry it throughout my life. I hope everyone checks it out and tries it out. It takes a lot of patience and diligence but the rewards are profound. I am in debt to Chris who introduced me to this meditation. Thank you for your compassion.

Peace and Love