11 - The Good Day

The Good Day

Look at this day. The skies are clear and everyone is happy. We have the same jobs and ailments as yesterday, but now there's a glint in our eyes and a bounce in our steps. We pass the same buildings and walk the same streets as last week and last year, yet today we're looking at the world with the enthusiasm of small children-which is something we have not done in quite a while. The rain has stopped, the snow has thawed, and everyone seems to be moving in harmony, taking their cues from the sun and the trees as they play their parts in a grand design. Even our traffic jams and petty arguments feel like vital notes in this symphony. "It's a good day for dreaming," said the lady on the corner who usually doesn't say anything. And she's right. When you catch a smile from a stranger on the street, you feel as if anything might be possible.

Recognize the connection between nature and society as you make your plans. Consider how your actions relate to the whole. Harmony with those around you brings success.

27 - The Meal

The Meal

There was a time when we are our words and spoke in food. These were strange days when the things we said appeared as cakes and pretzels, sometimes cabbages and fish. We spoke in vegetables and proteins, cheeses and desserts, the flavors depending on our moods. And we dines on nouns and adjectives. We are gentle verbs and angry slang. It took us a long time to find the balance between the emotions in our heads and the things we said and swallowed, but slowly we became more moderate in our thoughts and appetites until one day food appeared on our plates and language returned to our mouths. 

Treat your words as nourishment. Remember that when we eat, we bring the world into ourselves and when we speak, we bring ourselves into the world.

1 - The Comet

 

The Comet

A ribbon of light streaks across the sky. We lean out of windows and stop our cars. We stand in the streets with upturned faces, our mouths agape and hearts racing as we watch the comet soar above our heads, conjuring ancient memories of angels and dragons, of half-remembered childhood dreams. It is a spectacular sight and we never knew such beauty existed-or perhaps we have forgotten. Sometimes it takes a rare sight to reminf us that the heavens are always moving, always changing. Looking into the heavens, we can't help but think about our time. Cosmic time. Deep time. Our short time here, also flashing beneath the sky. A comet is beautiful because its purpose is simple: to move through the stars with grace. It enters the world without hesitation, a thing borne from the heat of motion. The comet is sublime because it does not think about how it flies. It simply flies.

Streamline and honor your time. Cast off distractions and devote your energy to the work and relationships that matter most to you. Action is the key to grant progress.

3 - The Tree

The Tree

There's an old tree in the center of town with a trunk as thick as a building and leaves that disappear into the clouds. When we're feeling blue, we try to remember that this giant oak was once a tiny seed that lived beneath the dirt and muck, struggling to reach the sun. We can imagine it beneath our feet, nudging its way through the dark and seeking the path of least resistance, winding past a stubborn rock in favor of someplace with rain and light. Growth is often painful, and sometimes it can be messy and strange. When we move into new terrain, it is natural to feel overwhelmed. But progress must be a steady and patient undertaking, much like the untying of a knot. With a little help, even the tiniest seed can break through the earth to reach the heavens. And so whenever we're feeling low, we look at our tree and remember its roots.

Plan carefully before you take that first step. Accept the help of others, knowing that growth is always difficult at the beginning.

37 - The Dark

The Dark

Our neighbor was afraid of the dark. She spent most of her life and all of her fortune trying to overcome this fear. She consulted doctors and psychologists. She hired professionals to lock her inside closets, blindfold her, and hold her hand in darkened rooms. Yet as soon as the light disappeared, her heart began to gallop, her hands trembled, and she could not breathe. In the dark, she was no longer sure if she existed. She did not know where she ended and the world began. Determined to overcome her fear, she spent long nights lying in her bed in a darkened room, wide awake and terrified, unable to sleep a wink. During the day she was exhausted and groggy, wandering aimlessly  through the aisles of the grocery store and mumbling about her failure until someone took her hand and gently said, "Oh honey, just turn on a light."

Attempting to overcome our imperfections can leave us in a worse state than when we began. Accept your limitations and cultivate your talents.

2 - The Streetlight

The Streetlight

We were lost in the desert, hundreds of miles from town. The world had become a vast sheet of paper, a blank space on our maps without trees or mountains or clouds, only endless white horizon. We bowed our heads in the howling wind, not knowing if we were walking north or south, Some of us wandered left, others staggered right, and we became separated from one another. Then we saw a streetlight in the distance, half-buried in the sand. It was the type of light you see on the corner or along the highway, and although it burned out years ago, we gathered around its aluminum post, which felt like a safe place to be. Perhaps we were simply comforted by the sight of a man-made object. Other travelers joined us here as well and this is how our town began.

Our most humble creations can provide a lifeline for others. Adjust your desires so they are in harmony with your surroundings. Thrive on the resources available.

51 - The Shock

The Shock

We were afraid of the thunder. Whenever the sky turned dark and rain began to fall, we would hide beneath blankets and stash ourselves in closets. We shielded our eyes from the lightning and we cranked our radios and televisions to full volume, not wanting to hear the rumblings in the sky that we did not understand. Then came the Great Shock, a bolt that literally came out of the blue while we relaxed in the park one sunny afternoon. The ground began to tremble, the world turned blinding white, followed by a sound that was so loud it hurt our bones. It lasted exactly four seconds. The sunshine and grass returned, we could hear the birds chirping in the trees and a car alarm down the street. But the world looked a bit brighter than before, a little more valuable. After something like the Great Shock, we are no longer afraid of thunder. In fact we listen to it carefully, wondering what else we might learn.

Moments of great fear are sometimes necessary, for they teach us not to be afraid of lesser things. Consider how the challenges in your life can improve your character.

14 - The Lucky Ones

The Lucky Ones

Some of us are born with gifts. Perhaps our parents had money. Maybe we have good eyesight or dazzling teeth. There's a woman down the street who was once richer than a bank. She inherited her fortune from a great-grandparent who accidentally invented the little plastic tabs we use to seal loaves of bread. She lived in a splendid mansion and kept her money in a glass box on the lawn for everyone to see, and she would lecture us from her porch whenever we said hello. "If you work harder, maybe one day you'll be like me." We felt lousy when we passed her house and soon we avoided it altogether. She did not understand that she was lucky. One day a bolt of lightning shattered her glass box and set her piles of money on fire, and none of her neighbors helped her extinguish the flames. Some people said it was bad luck, but we're not so sure.

Do not confuse good luck with good character. Be aware of selfishness and consider your challenges with compassion. Our greatest fortune is the virtue of our actions and the depth of our relationships.

43 - The Puzzle

The Puzzle

An angry giant tried to conquer our town. He rearranged people and buildings and demanded to be in charge. He frightened us because he represented the worst features of ourselves. Our rash and brutal emotions. Our cranky and selfish impulses. When we confronted him, he would bellow and shake his fists, offering us a fight that we would surely lose. Huddled together on the edge of town, we watched as he uprooted our trees and shops, replanting them as he saw fit. Then we had an idea. We offered him a jigsaw puzzle, an extraordinarily complicated map of the world with fifty-thousand pieces and we told him it was the most important project in town and only he was smart enough to complete it. Smiling he sat down and began organizing the pieces, separating the oceans from the land, and we congratulated him on his progress while we put out town back together again. He's still there today, humming to himself while he works on the islands of the South Pacific.

Do not confront your difficulties directly. Keep them at a distance and these challenges will lost their strength. The best way to conquer fear is to focus on doing good works.

45 - The Sunflowers

The Sunflowers

Some sunflowers began growing in the center of town. Only a few at first but soon there were dozens and now hundreds of sunflowers grow where our busiest streets come together. They are magnificent flowers with electric green stalks and gigantic yellow faces that seem brighter each day. Crowds gather to admire them despite the warnings of the old-timers who say these strange flowers might be dangerous, that they should be cut down. "A dangerous flower?" we laugh. "Who ever heard of such a thing?" We enjoy gathering around them and discussing how quickly they are growing, how bright they are becoming, and how they seem to be watching us. One morning their neon yellow faces turned towards us and began to shimmer and glow until they unleashed a light so bright and powerful that it sent us running through the streets, yelping as if we had been burnt by the sun.

We must always be prepared to face the unexpected. Consider the experiences of those around you. The voices of all are better than the few.

12 - The Fog

The Fog

A thick fog rolled into town last night and it showed no sign of leaving. Stepping outside is like walking into a sheet of paper, so we retreat to dim rooms and libraries, we sit in cafés and lobbies, watching the clouds cover the windows and slow down the clocks. Those who insist on conducting business in this kind of weather are up to no good, so it's better to stay indoors and take a break. Find a warm chair and maybe dream a little. Sometimes the world turns strange and our routines grind to a standstill - but perhaps we need an occasional break from the bustle. We can gather our resources and consider our priorities, knowing the fog cannot last forever.

When uncertain circumstances arise, use this as an opportunity to make a plan rather than take action. Patience is the key to good timing.

41 - The Wish

The Wish

We always wanted more. More money. More candy. More excitement. We wanted more of everything and for a little while, we got it. When a genie offered us one wish, we thought we were clever when we answered with a single word: more. And although we had more cash, snacks, and prizes, we also felt more anger, fear, and envy. We had more worries, arguments, and sleepless nights. As our homes became cluttered with things, so many emotions jammed our heads that we could not think. We worried that we might lose our things, that we did not have enough. Our lives had become so crowded and complicated that soon we could not move. So we began throwing things away. With each gadget and trinket that we put in the trash, our heads cleared a little, and each day we found ourselves worrying a litle less and smiling a little more. 

Simplicity provides inner strength. Look for areas where reduction might be beneficial and consider how your character may be refined.

36 - The Night

The Night

We can no longer tell the difference between day and night. Our lights blaze around the clock. Streetlights, porch lights, lamps, and the blue glow of televisions and thousands of tiny screens. Midnight looks a lot like noon these days The old-timers will tell you there was a time when we used to enjoy the dark. Although it was mysterious, the night gave our minds room to breathe and we would rest our eyes while contemplating the stars. Then someone turned on a light because they did not like the unknown. They were frightened of things they could not see. The stars dimmed a little and the sky faded from black to blue, and we decided the night was ruined so we switched on our lamps too. This is how our nights turned into days. But last night our neighbor turned off his lights and we admired his quiet patch of dark so we did the same. The sky is beautiful tonight and if somebody turns on a light we will ignore it, knowing sooner or later they will want to see the stars again.

Our actions are contagious. We must not follow others blindly. Accepting the light and the dark leads to sound judgment.

26 - The Wind

The Wind

This town would be perfect if it weren't for the Elephant Wind. Every five or six years it blows through town, making our days miserable and bringing life to a standstill. At night we dream of elephants, big slow beasts marching across the screens in our heads. During the day we can only think and speak of elephants. No matter where we look, we see tusks, trunks, and flappy ears. Worst of all is the sound of the Elephant Wind, the way it screeches like an endless trumpet that rattles the nerves and clenches the teeth. Each time the wind arrives, we forget how we managed to survive it before. Then somebody remembers the book in the library. This wind has blown since the town's earliest days and our ancestors left us with instructions. Blowing the dust off the cover, we see the title and smile: How to Survive the Elephant Wind. 

Study the past and apply its lessons to the challenges you face today. Contemplate your history before you move forward. Energy is a gift when controlled and directed.

60 - The Dream

The Dream

There was a time when we saw the world in black and white. We knew only these two extremes with nothing in between, not even shades of grey. We understood the world only in terms of night or day, silent or loud, off or on. Other towns had colors but we resisted the idea. Too many possibilities would make us crazy, we thought. With only two options, our way of life was simple and we enjoyed it because we knew nothing else. We knew only hot or cold, happiness or sadness, perfection or chaos. Our radios had switches instead of knobs. We were either awake or asleep and we did not dream until a child woke us one night, banging on our doors with excitement. "I had the strangest sensation of being asleep yet also awake," she cried. "And this world was filled with such strange and wonderful things." That night we began dreaming too, and the next day we began seeing colors and hearing so many new sounds, and we knew this dreamland was where we were supposed to be.

Extremes should be avoided. Embrace the possibilities of limitations. Boundaries exist to lead us towards balance.

16 - The Song

The Song

Our streets were filled with trash. If we came across something we did not like, we threw it out the door or tossed it through a window. Pizza boxes, broken dishes, and unfashionable clothes covered our lawns. Broken dishwashers and two-legged chairs crowded the sidewalk. When visitors came to town, their jaws dropped as they walked through the shadows of our garbage-but we had been living this way for so long that we could not see the problem. They tried to reason with us but we ignored them. We did not like being bossed around. Nobody could make us listen until one day our new mayor turned to music. She knew that, like a melody, a law succeeds only if it reaches the heart. She asked if we would like to see our lawns again and we said yes, that would be nice. She asked if we would like to walk down the sidewalk without stubbing our toes and we cheered. These days we put things in black plastic bags and sort our papers from our glass, and we do it cheerfully as if humming a favorite song.

Consider the desires of those around you. Seek similarities rather than differences. Compassion is more effective than persuasion.

(It's been a year since Renee left this earth but it feels so much longer. I think of her every time I put the key in my mail slot and just as it squeaks open I know that there will be no mail from her. She was such a kind and generous person and I didn't think I would miss her as much as I do. I hope that Heaven exists because I know she felt destined to reach it.)

33 - The Nap

The Nap

We were exhausted. We had too much to do and there was too much information. Our heads were crowded with responsibilities, facts, desires, hurt feelings and the echoes of unfinished dreams from the night before. We grew cranky. We argued with one another in streets and offices, and sometimes in newspapers and on television. And then one day someone said, "I think we all need a nap." We erected a grand building in the center of town with palm trees and pillows on the floor and a skylight so we could watch the clouds or falling rain while we recovered from our mornings and renewed ourselves for the afternoon. We wondered how we ever managed to live without the Nap Palace and it soon became more useful for maintaining the peace than any of our laws or courts.

When we are overwhelmed, rest may be wiser than action. Retreating from the world and looking inward might save you from future struggles.

52 - The Quiet

The Quiet

Our heads were too noisy and the world was too loud. We walked through our days with tense muscles, electrified nerves, and aching brains. We needed to relax. We craved peace and quiet but did not know where to find it. One day we noticed a man sitting in a field, his legs crossed and eyes closed with a gentle smile. "Yes," we said. "This is how we should live." And so we canceled our appointments, switched off our devices, and joined him. We sat in the grass and practiced being perfectly still, and in this way we managed to stop the world - for a few minutes, anyway. The world quickly slipped back into our heads, reminding us of the things we wanted to do, the people we wanted to hug, and the ideas we wanted to share. But we had committed to being quiet and sitting perfectly still, so we did not move for days, even though our thoughts were noisier than ever. When we could stand it no longer, some of us opened our eyes and saw that the man with the gentle smile was across the street, talking on his telephone and eating a sandwich.

Peace and quiet comes only if we remain still when it is time to keep still and if we move when it is time to take action. Eliminate anxiety about the future by focusing on the present.

49 - The Winter

The Winter

The colors used to fade in the winter. Cold winds would blow away our reds, yellows, and blues, leaving us with grey fruit and traffic signals that made no sense until the spring. We spent these days indoors, staring into books and pale fires, unable to face a black-and-white world. Then we had an idea. We began painting our town. We painted our trees green and apples red and someone even tried to paint the sky a bright blue, although this caused a bit of a mess. But soon our town looked the same the whole year round and we were happy for a while. Then we began to lose our sense of time. Our minds grew soft because we no longer read books or quietly gazed into fires. Years passed yet we did not notice, and this is how we learned that seasons exist for a reason.

Change brings uncertainty as well as growth. Consider how this transformation can be in harmony with your environment and adapt yourself to fit the circumstances that you cannot control.

34 - The Weightlifters

The Weightlifter

We once had a neighbor who could lift anything. Most of the time she was a quiet woman with a gentle face but sometimes she would burst with so much energy that she would run down the streets in the middle of the night, uprooting trees and carrying cars. Maybe it was something she ate. Perhaps it had to do with the moon. We never could figure out the cause, but when we woke up one morning and discovered that she had rearranged several city blocks, we knew something had to be one. We made a list of projects and pinned them to her shirt. Move the highway outside of town, Get rid of three parking lots. Make the lake bigger. Today our town looks better than we could have imagined now that we've pointed her energies in the right direction. 

When overwhelmed by great emotions, it is easy to forget what is right. Focus on the best interests of those around you. By helping others, you reinforce your own well-being.