Just Because

Here's another picture, while I'm at it.



I enjoy Satvinder's fashion sense. She can pull off pretty much anything. In the background you can see my sad little garden that is starting to dry up in the heat of Phoenix summer. It had a good run.

The Things I Find...

Kids put things in weird places. That keeps it interesting - you never know what you are going to find in unexpected locations. Why? Usually, only they know. Here's a sampling of recent findings in our house:



Penguin in my mixing bowls



This is a dove-shaped candle holder that was hung on a hook of Satvinder's play kitchen. Also interesting placement: the play salt shaker that is stuffed inside and the stamp that was stuck onto the beak.



Blow up giraffe ("Sweetheart"), lovingly placed in the rocking chair for a nap.



Baby in a turban.

More Zooing

It's hot. What can you do when it is 113 degrees outside? Luckily the zoo thing happens around sunset on Fridays - so we went to that again. Here's some pics from last night.



Carousel rides are always pleasing to The Pinky.



Like zebra, like girl.

Mountains & Meditation

I can't go through this week without mentioning where I am NOT. For the first time in the past 11 years, I am not at Summer Solstice. For those who don't know what that is, it is hard to explain but I'll give a simple overview. Each year for the week of Summer Solstice, over a thousand people camp out on a mountain in New Mexico, catch up with old friends, do yoga, meditate, and live as a spiritual community. It includes 3 days of White Tantric Yoga – which is all day meditations that are 31 or 62 minutes long. It is an intense week – full of lots of challenge but also lots of really special moments.

So I'm not there this week. There are various reasons – work, finances... but mostly I just felt like it wasn't my time to go. Even though I am not there, it is very much in my mind and I find myself thinking of the many friends who are there right now. Today they are finishing up the third day of White Tantric. In my meditation today, I thought of them and felt the need to express appreciation for the effort this kind of practice involves.

The appreciation I have is for those who face themselves. It is not an easy task. I saw it in my own resistance today. I sat there, doing my meditation and getting to that place where the mind starts spitting out reasons to stop, to avoid, to run away. I thought of so many other things that were waiting to get done. I could work. I could check email, clean the house, eat, read a book....anything...other...than...face...myself. I have taught about (and felt!) this experience enough times to know that in that moment, that is exactly when you have to keep going. That is exactly the time that you absolutely must not stop. That is the wall you have to move through.

Even knowing that, I was itching to get out of it. It seems funny that there is so much resistance to just being still. There is so much frantic grasping at staying busy, being occupied, going, doing, distracting. For those who take this challenge every day, I want say that I appreciate you and the work that you do to live more awake, alive, and present – even when it is hard.

And I want to say that I appreciate all those friends who sit up on the mountain today – facing themselves, letting go of their baggage, and doing their part to create a more conscious world for us all.

Happy Summer Solstice.

Fountains and Fun

Here are some pictures from last weekend. This is a shopping center downtown that has fountains. In other words...free water park!

Satvinder and her friend, Logan. They eventually decided to roll around in the water. In this pic, they were just getting started.



Satvinder and Logan making faces. This is the easiest way to get them to agree to photographs.



Logan's parents (and our friends!), Dominique and Russell with Mangala Sadhu Sangeet. You can see where Logan gets his face-making abilities.



Whispering words of mischief, no doubt.

Surrender

Sometimes I feel like I want to say something. Then I read the words of Guru Nanak or Rumi or Hafiz or another who expressed, in perfection, the experience of life and God - and I realize it is all right there. So tonight, here is a portion of Guru Nanak's Japji - translated to English by my friend, Ek Ong Kaar Kaur:

1
You think and think
ten-thousand thoughts,
but not one thought
will give you
what you seek.

You sit in silence
to find the silence
but silence never comes.
Your spirit always sings
the song of the Divine.

And all your troubles,
and all your cares,
these will never fade away
though you may hoard
every treasure in the world.

And all the clever tricks,
you use,
the countless little tricks -
not even one
will go along with you.

How can we find
the House of Truth?
How can we break
this wall of lies?

Surrender yourself
and walk the Way
of Spirit's Will.

Nanak,
be with what
is already written.

Starry Safari

Friday night Satvinder and I went with our friend, Harimandir, to the zoo for the summertime Friday night event, Starry Safari.



Me and Satvinder - The mountain in the background is one that Satvinder has named "Poop Mountain" - because that is always a funny joke when you are 3. Or 30.




Harimandir, Satvinder, and a giraffe

Water in the Eyes!

As mentioned previously, Satvinder is not fond of swimming - yet. We started swim lessons the other day. I didn't have my camera with me but the following picture can give you an accurate visual:

Organized Wiggles

We went with friends to try out a Kid's Gymnastics class today. It's in the triple digits here in Phoenix so the options for kids activities are pretty much indoors, in a pool, or after dark. We're trying to find the right match for Satvinder - she hates swimming so far. But today's gymnastics got a thumbs up from The Pinky.







Leotard and pink cowgirl boots - Satvinder has her own flair for fashion.



In class



Friends we went with: Narsingh, Nirangkaar, Aletha, Sat Darshan, & Satvinder

Graduation

Last week, Satvinder graduated from Khalsa Montessori toddler school. She was there for 2 years with a fantastic teacher, Miss Jan. She is really excited about starting the Primary school in a couple weeks.



Satvinder walking towards Miss Jan to accept her graduation ribbon.



With girls from her class: Olivia, Satvinder, Nirangkaar, and Safiya

Visit to Austin

Last month we went to Austin for some much needed time with family and friends. Here's some pictures from the trip:



My brother, Bill, with Satvinder and her cousin, Jayden



My mom and nephew, Billy



Me and my dad



My sister-in-law, Carmen and the ring Bill gave her for Mother's Day. All men should take notes from my brother.



My niece, Kelly



My niece, Morgan, with her mother's day present



Satvinder swinging at Lily's birthday party



Some of our favorite Austin baby friends: Fiona, Lily, & Guthrie



Satvinder and Jayden - and a bunch of soft things

Lines

Order is important in the life of 3 year old. For Satvinder, order is often expressed in lines. Lines of anything, everything. Just lines. Lots of 'em. Every so often, I go around the house and take pictures of things that Satvinder has lined up. Here are a few examples:

Welcome, One & All!

Well, isn't this handy? Now I have a format for posting pictures, stories, and info for all the fans of Satvinder, aka: The Pinky and can share some glimpses into our lives. I haven't exactly been sitting around thinking up extra things to do. But I can't just keep it all to myself. She's too great not to share.