Heart Mountain

Posted on September 23, 2013 by russtowne

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Source: Illuminating Soul’s photo

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Adventure, Breakthroughs, Challenges, Growth/Learning, Heart, Photos That Touched Me, Quotes I Love, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Ending the Cycle of Suffering

Posted on September 21, 2013 by russtowne

Some time ago I read a saying that I would have at one time agreed with and found humorous, but now just saddens me:

“KARMA: No need for revenge. Just sit back and wait. Those who hurt you will eventually screw up themselves and if you’re lucky God and/or Goddess will let you watch.”

I believe that those who hurt me or others are already suffering.

May their suffering soon end, and may I be an instrument to that end.

May I forgive them for their sake and mine.

May I hope that they be enlightened rather than punished.

For I believe that until their suffering ends, it is unlikely that they will stop hurting themselves and others.

May I be wise and loving enough to do my part to help end the cycle of suffering.

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Choices, Compassion, Forgiveness, My Beliefs, Suffering | Tagged , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

The Trouble Tree

Posted on September 19, 2013 by russtowne

A friend sent this story to me and I thought some of you would enjoy it as I did.

With Love,
Russ

I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had
just finished a rough first day on the job: a flat tire made him lose an
hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one ton truck
refused to start.

While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited
me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused
briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both
hands.

When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His face
was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his
wife a kiss.

Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity
got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do
earlier.

‘Oh, that’s my trouble tree,’ he replied ‘I know I can’t help having
troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure, those troubles don’t
belong in the house with my wife and the children.. So I just hang them
up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of
them. Then in the morning I pick them up again.’ ‘Funny thing is,’ he
smiled,’ when I come out in the morning to pick ’em up, there aren’t
nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.’

Posted in Adversity, Choices, Family, Grace, Marriage, Stories That Touched Me, Traditions & Rituals | Tagged , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Increase the Dose!

Posted on September 17, 2013 by russtowne

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Source: Smile At Me

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Healing, Health, Quotes I Love, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

The Scars Remain

Posted on September 16, 2013 by russtowne

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The only true joy on earth is to escape from the prison of our own false self, and enter, by love, into union with the Life who dwells, and sings, within the essence of every creature, and in the core of our own souls.

~ Thomas Merton

Sources:
Bullying: Stop Bullying Photos
Bird: A Space of Grace’s Photo

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Animals, Breakthroughs, Bullying, Freedom, Life, Love, Photos That Touched Me, Quotes I Love, Spirit, Uncategorized, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Acts of Kindness – Connecting With Others!

Posted on September 16, 2013 by russtowne

You’ve already seen the first part of Penny’s post. It is the second part that I wanted to share with you. I love the video. There are so many great messages and it encapsulates many of my beliefs and the reasons behind them. One of my favorite comments (among many in the clip): “…the edge of your courage but not past it.”
With Love,
Russ

Penny L Howe's avatarThe Why About This

Today for “Acts of Kindness” I’d like to share a recent post by a fellow blogger and a motivational video.

The post, written by a very caring individual, was first read by my friend Ute of Ute’s Smile (she defines loving with her posts) who then shared it with me and suggested I pass it along to you – so I shall!

Russ from A Grateful Man posted the following experience a few days ago on his blog, thank you Russ!

“My Beloved and I were out on the town with some other couples when an elderly woman who appeared quite down on her luck and perhaps homeless walked up to our group and asked if we were going in a specific direction. We said we were. She asked if we could perhaps give a lift to her because she had someplace important to be and had no car or…

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Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

A Great Discovery

Posted on September 13, 2013 by russtowne

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Sources:
Discoveries: Henry Ford Quote
Angel: Angel healing TM’s photo
Horse and Dog: Inmates of the Asylum’s photo

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Animals, Compassion, Dogs & Other Wonderful Creatures, Inspiring, Kindness, LIfe Lessons, Photos That Touched Me, Quotes I Love | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Giving is The Best Communication

Posted on September 12, 2013 by russtowne

I’m attempting to show restraint by not re-blogging too many posts from Kindness Blog in fairness to the person who works so hard to bring such heart-warming posts to the world, but sometimes a post is so good I just can’t help myself. This is one of those posts. For those whose eyes tend to spill over from joy when experiencing love in action, I recommend getting a tissue ready.

Kindness Blog's avatarKindness Blog

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Posted in Uncategorized | 17 Comments

Buddhism, love and marriage

Posted on September 12, 2013 by russtowne

My Beloved was much more in tune with this wisdom since the beginning of our marriage 34 years go. It took me a long time and considerable effort and discomfort to evolve to it. Ultimately, we both found we needed to adjust expectations, and find the sweet spot between too much time together and too little. But when we found it and stay within it, it can be sweet indeed.
With Love,
Russ

istopforsuffering's avataristopforsuffering

“But let there be spaces in your togetherness
and let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.”

~ Kahlil Gibran

I read an interesting article today on the Buddhist notion of love, and it’s really made me pause and re-evaluate my concept of what love is… and what it should be.

I must admit that in love, I can turn inwards, become insular, and all consumed.  However I am coming to realise that love is really about helping one another to face outward, not merely inward.

“In the Buddhist tradition, there’s no “tying the knot.” There’s no two candles, two souls “becoming one.” Instead of facing one another, completing one another (Jerry Maguire) and living happily ever after (which only happens in fiction and even then they never show

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Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

A 5-Run Homer!

Posted on September 11, 2013 by russtowne

In 2012 I experienced a most unusual baseball game between the Giants and the Yankees. During it I got to see a 5-run homer, a batter run the bases backwards, players skipping in the outfield and doing somersaults in the in-field.

Perhaps I should explain…

My wife, a Special Education teacher for Kindergartners and 1st Graders was invited by the parents of one of her students to a baseball game in a Special Education league. She invited me, and so off we went on that beautiful sunny day which featured a strong brisk breeze.

The home team was named the Giants and the away team was the Yankee’s. By now you’ve probably figured out that this was no ordinary game. In fact, it was a special game indeed.

All the fans cheered equally for every player of both teams. Each player was matched with a “buddy” on the field who was a Little Leaguer who volunteered to help their little buddy field or hit the ball and stay safe.

Every one of the young volunteer buddies was amazing! They stayed focused the whole game patiently guiding their little buddies in gentle, loving ways. A like number of adults would be less likely to have done nearly so well.

Speaking of adults, the grown-up volunteers, coaches, managers, and others were wonderful! They kept everyone safe while helping children who were physically, mentally, and behaviorally challenged to experience the thrill of playing baseball.

Every child got to bat every inning. There were eight players per team and the score was tied 8 to 8 at the end of the first inning, and ended in a 16 to 16 tie. It wasn’t exactly a pitchers’ duel, and the fielding needs some work, but their bats were on fire!

On the field was a player in a motorized wheel chair, and players who could barely run, or hold the bat. Boys and girls played for each team. The players went through a range of emotions during the game with smiles dominating, but frustration and tears too. There were show-boats and shy players, and some who got overwhelmed by it all. And you couldn’t ask for a better announcer or fans. It was a wonderful way to spend part of the day.

To say I was touched by it all would be an understatement. My eyes puddled up several times during the game as I saw people being beautiful toward each other. It must have been the brisk breeze blowing dust into my eyes.

Yeah, that must have been it…

With Love,
Russ

Posted in Beauty, Children, Commitment, Compassion, Connection/Connecting, Fun, Heroes, Humor, Inspiring, Kindness, Love, Making the World a Better Place, My Written Works Misc., Non-fiction Stories I've Written, Non-Fiction Writing I've Done, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments