Dear Reader:

Nepo tells us that so much more can happen in our lives with our hands open rather than gripping fists. He shares this ancient story from China.

Traps were set to catch monkeys using a hollowed-out coconut through an opening that was cut to the size of a monkey’s open hand. Rice was then placed in the carved out fruit.

Sooner or later a hungry monkey would smell the rice and reach its hand in. But once fisting the rice, it’s hand could no longer fit back out through the opening. The monkeys that were caught were those who would not let go of the rice. As long as the monkey kept its grip on the rice, it remained a prisoner of its own making!

The metaphor? We need to always ask ourselves ” What is our rice and what is keeping us from opening our grip and letting it go? “

What about us and love? Haven’t we sometimes experienced, while believing in our moment of hunger, that there is no other possibility of love out there for us? Instead of balling up our fist for something we want so badly that we end up prisoners of love, we have to find the courage to let go and our life will unfold. For love is everywhere!

So until tomorrow… we should learn to appreciate life momentarily instead of trying to hold onto incidents and fond memories too long-balled up in our fist. We need to open our palms to new experiences and feelings -it keeps life rich and alive!

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh

Yesterday Peanut Butter and Jelly, turkeys from Indiana, were slated to be pardoned by President Biden in the Rose Garden but one was to also be named the National Thanksgiving Turkey for 2021-I kept googling but couldn’t find the selection results. Both are going home to live out their lives in blissful harmony-outside Perdue! Happy Thanksgiving Peanut Butter and Jelly!