The rhythm of my life...

I work from home on Wednesdays. This makes it separate and distinct from all other days of the week. My pattern changes. For one thing, I start my day differently. On Wednesdays, it is Waffle House.

There is a comforting feel, not just to the food (double order of hash browns, scattered, smothered, double-covered, double-chunked, waffle with sugar free syrup), but the fact that I'm greeted by name, and the staff there is truly interested in how I'm doing.

Watching LA wait tables is truly something to behold. She knows the orders of dozens (nay hundreds) of regulars, and can move around that restaurant bussing tables, calling orders, serving food and working the register with the speed and grace of the most disciplined martial artist. She's been doing so for over 20 years, from what I understand. I know that I have personally been going to this Waffle House for six of those years.

Tina, the other server, has Mondays and Tuesdays off, so everyone always asks her how her time off was. This is an example of a micro-community, brought together by the love of fast, cheap and good food. Some convene daily, others, like myself, are only there weekly, and yet another set of customers will be there once and gone. But the vibe never seems to change.

For me, it is always a time where I am truly mindful, living in the present. It makes me grateful for everything that I am, and all the things I am blessed with in life. Truly a wonderful way to start my day.

Ciao for now.

Gratitude

Several of my friends are going through trying times. Observing their pain makes me so grateful for all the things that I have. The best thing I can do is to remain positive, visualize them healthy, wealthy and happy, and continue on. There's really nothing else I can do. I've asked, they've responded, and I've rendered what was asked of me.

Mostly I've been contemplating compassion of late. What does it truly mean when considered in the framework that is my life. I do grokk the universality of Tao. However, the specific application of it to my life is where it gets a little tricky.

Are there any other Taoists on my flist? If so, I'd like to sit down and have some meaningful and insightful conversation either in person or via IM.

Ciao for now.