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Chaos and Glimmers: Balancing Meaningful Action and Meaningful Rest October 31, 2025 14:19
This past month has been a whirlwind of activity for me. I feel as though I have been spinning in a vortex of chaos and uncertainty. Managing these hectic moments with much-needed self-care and rest has been essential this month.
Some of the changes and challenges have been completely out of my control. For example, Hurricane Melissa recently slammed into Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti. Last I heard, it was heading toward the Bahamas, leaving a wide path of destruction in its wake.
My heart goes out to everyone who has endured and survived such profound loss and devastation that this storm has brought. This compassion extends to all who will experience loss from future storms as well.
Man-made storms, particularly those of a political nature, have caused chaos and mayhem, too. In the U.S., we are currently in the throes of a 30+ day government shut down. Federal workers have been furloughed, some working, but without pay. Congress has reached an impasse and is unwilling to negotiate to find a solution to benefit the American people. Millions across the nation, primarily children, the elderly, the disabled, and veterans, are slated to lose much-needed SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, which will lead to a nationwide hunger crisis.
Rising health care costs, insurance rates, and grocery prices only complicate and exacerbate this crisis, and our current administration is to blame.
I can’t fix these problems by myself, but I can (and do) call my state and federal legislators to voice my concerns regularly. I can donate food to local food pantries. Staying informed about local and national events and happenings is important—being an engaged and informed citizen matters.
I was one of the seven million protesters who participated in the No Kings protest on October 18th. I may not be able to control the chaos, but I can respond to it in a mindful and intelligent way. I can be mindful and aware of what’s happening around me, and I can voice my concerns and push back peacefully when others are harmed or treated unjustly.
On a much smaller scale, personal storms have also compounded my sense of frustration this month. My schedule has been hectic and dotted with a series of unexpected surprises (four vet visits for two aging fur babes, my own medical checkups, technology snafus, etc.).
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Needless to say, October has been a very busy and chaotic month, but there have also been bright spots. These glimmers have kept me calm and relaxed while navigating the chaos.
For example, earlier this month I attended a premiere viewing of the film The Wisdom of Happiness at a movie theatre in Indianapolis. This intimate documentary featured His Holiness the Dalai Lama addressing the audience in a very personal way about the importance of compassion, hope, and kindness. He shared practical wisdom and insights for finding peace and hope during uncertain times. It felt as though he was with us in the theatre, delivering a beautiful and practical Dharma talk—and a much-needed message relevant to all of us.
I recognized several people in the theatre; many had traveled from Bloomington to see this limited, one-day release. It felt uplifting to be in the company of so many others who also valued kindness and compassion.
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Last week, Jim and I attended the wedding of a family friend. The ceremony took place on a veranda overlooking rolling green hills and a waterfall. As the late October sunset turned the sky pink, a flock of geese flew by in the distance as the couple recited their vows. After the ceremony, we lined both sides of a paved driveway to greet and receive the newlyweds and their wedding party with a flurry of bubbles.
These small, pleasant moments, or glimmers, have really helped me find balance and connect with others in a meaningful way.
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I’ve been on Fall Break from school this past week. My schedule has been very full with other obligations, but I took time on Monday morning to make a vegetable soup in the slow cooker. While I sliced leeks, carrots, celery, and potatoes, I listened to an album playing on the living room stereo that I haven’t heard in many years (21 Strings by Al-Andalus Ensemble). “Song of the Water” is one of my favorite pieces from this album, and it brought me joy to hear it again. It also brought me joy to be fully present in the kitchen--taking time and effort to make a delicious soup that Jim and I would enjoy later.
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During Fall Break, I had an annual checkup with my eye doctor. The waiting area was crowded. A woman about my age was sitting next to me. I admired the wide green frames of her glasses. Her elderly mother sat next to her. She was doting and patient with her mother as she helped her fill out her paperwork on a clipboard. After a while, a nurse came out to call for them. This woman helped her mother stand up, and then she stood in front of her mother so that she could place her hands on her daughter’s shoulders. They shuffled slowly… and they shuffled together… the daughter leading her mother down the hallway. It was a small gesture—but a tender, meaningful moment for me. I appreciated the daughter’s kindness and patience, and the mother’s trust and willingness to receive her daughter’s assistance.
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Yesterday, I made time to practice a Feldenkrais lesson. I pushed all of my have-tos to the side and spent forty minutes to lie on the floor and listen to a lesson from Tiffany Sankary’s Movement and Creativity Library. It’s amazing how small movements like tilting the knees gently from side to side can foster awareness, relieve anxiety, and calm the nervous system.
I felt more relaxed and grounded by the end of the session. Feldenkrais lessons are like meditation for the body for me. The more subtle the movements, the deeper the awareness and feeling.
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Finally, one of the most enjoyable glimmers for me this month has been watching the leaves turn colors. The maples and oaks in our front yard are ablaze with orange and yellow leaves, and I have enjoyed watching them flutter to the ground this month.
These glimmers—these moments of presence and joy—have been welcome antidotes to the chaos and uncertainty.
I hope that you, too, have been able to find solace and joy in your corner of the world.
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Thanks for taking the time to read this month’s offering. If you happen to be in the Indianapolis area, know that I will be one of many vendors at the 10th annual Holistic Hub Wellbeing Fest on Sunday, November 9th. Hub&Spoke in Fishers will host this event. I will bring the full collection of malas as well as quarter malas, which are only available at in-person events. Feel free to stop by my booth to say, “Hello.” Perhaps, you’ll find a design that resonates with you and your practice.
If you won’t be able to attend this event, please visit the Middle Moon Malas online shop.
I hope the upcoming month of November treats you well—and may you be nourished by your practice as well as an abundance of everyday glimmers.
Photo Credit: Lucas K courtesy of Unsplash
Celebrating Sweet and Savory Choices August 2, 2016 11:31
We have choice, and our choices direct our paths. They may not define us, but they do lead us from one moment to the next. Each experience—each moment, has something unique to teach us.
This morning, I chose to drive to Bloomington to attend a lecture at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center. Afterwards, I chose to go to Anyetsang’s Little Tibet for lunch. I do not regret either choice.
Currently, I’m sitting under a red patio umbrella. A late summer breeze teases colorful prayer flags overhead. I can hear the sounds of a fountain gurgling behind me. Cicadas are grinding away the hot afternoon in their shrill, spiral cries as steady traffic hums along 4th Street.
I have the patio mainly to myself, and I have the time and freedom to enjoy a mango lassi—and to savor every bite of the cabbage dumplings—pan-seared and served with soy sauce. A sparrow hops around under my table, and heads of black-eyed Susans gently nod in encouragement.
I am at ease. I am at peace. I am savoring this present moment.
Earlier, I had considered stopping by the Jordan Greenhouse on the IU campus to see Wally, the titan arum, or corpse flower, in full bloom. The corpse flower blooms only once every ten to twenty years, and it emits a strong odor similar to the stench of rotting flesh. It’s a botanical wonder, and seeing this plant in full bloom would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. However, vegetarian momos were calling my name, so I chose Little Tibet over Wally. Besides, isn’t every moment a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? (I Googled Wally later in the day and watched him unfold online--so this choice was a win-win).
Every choice we make carries effects or consequences. The more mindful and present we are, the more mindful and present our choices are. Our lives are like malas, in this way. The beads represent the beautiful aspects of life (prayer flags, sunshine, momos), and the knots represent the challenges (the stench of rotting flesh). Challenge and beauty are interconnected and balanced, and as we progress through the circuit of our lives from moment to moment, we have the choice to be present—to learn from each experience—to enjoy and savor each bead and knot of our lives.
Renew, Recharge, Restring February 6, 2016 23:02
Nothing is permanent. Nothing is fixed forever in time and space.
Over time, a well-used mala will eventually stretch, pull, and break--and will require restringing. A fresh sutra and tassel can rejuvenate a mala, infusing fresh energy and life into a mantra and meditation practice as well. It can renew our resolve, giving our practice a boost with a fresh pop of color and strong, tight knots of support.
Just as a fresh perspective can shed light on a recurring problem or a rekindled sense of appreciation for an everyday occurrence, a restrung mala can bring us back to what matters--or at the very least, an awareness, a mindfulness of what's right in front of us.
The beads feel different between the fingers. The journey toward the guru is smooth--solid--secure.
Small changes and shifts can lead to positive outcomes. After weeks of cold temperatures, overcast skies, and snow, the sun finally emerged, and I, along with half of Greenwood, waited in line for thirty minutes at Mike's Car Wash.
I don't mind waiting--I used that time to chant in the quiet confines of my car--and I knew that the wait would be worthwhile. At the end of it all, after the warm sprays of water, the rhythmic thumping of large whirring brushes--after surrendering to the necessary cycles of rinse-wash-rinse-dry, my car and I would emerge clean and sparkling.
A car wash does not lead to a miraculous transformation--and nothing dramatic had changed, really. However, sometimes miraculous things dwell in the ordinary. Having salt and dirt washed away--dull streaks on windows cleaned--it gave me a renewed appreciation for where I was, for what I had. The path before me was sharper, clearer. I noticed things on my way home that I hadn't paid attention to before, and my mood had lifted.
Familiarity can lead to taking people, places, and things for granted. Taking the same route over again can create a dullness--a foggy haze over the mind and senses. Whether it's driving on familiar streets or completing another round of a mala that you've used for years, taking the time to restore and renew is critical to your meditation practice, and to your life in general.
**In addition to offering one-of-a-kind malas, Middle Moon Malas can also restring malas that have stretched or broken from use. Send us a message through the Contact Us tab for rates and services.