2009 Wrap-up

I've a few things I'd like to share from 2009. The first is a poem I wrote as my final project for Foundations class at the Hilltop Center for Spiritual Living. It's the second time I've taken the class and the difference was very interesting. To have taken the class then and now, as I've grown and matured, the material hit me in different ways and elicited different responses than the first time.

Found
"The play between the present, the eternal now and its fleeting cousin the past, intrigues me. Memory, past's vassal, is autonomous, and works of its own volition. At least for me, memory is selective, and inconstant; to be carefully employed. Observation, self-inquiry, awareness, and being-ness are the loyal friends of the present. These are the tools I cultivate.
There is so much to be learned from the past, much to be enjoyed, disregarded and forgotten. Experiential lessons are deeply useful. They can guide our constructions with the wisdom of our ancestors; lest we make the same mistakes as they.
I'm here to learn, to educate and to love; I feel these are my vocations. I am a brick in the wall; a wall dissolved, whose pieces are stronger dispersed. Like Berlin's the year of my birth, this dissolution is a harbringer of progress. The progress I embody is conscious, multilateral, and diverse. With the bricks of old, new beauty's formed: structures designed to unite and empower rather than divide and conquer. This year many walls fall, in my mind, in society, and in this room.
The second time around, this study in Foundation's met better ground. It's a revolutionary depart from that first ground-breaking. So much is different, and so much the same. The soil's the same, the architect too; his guidance, patience and vision help shape and solidify to make Plato proud. His natural growth and flux serve to break our molds; the foundation's set. Now build! Onward!
So I, a perpetual student, thank you. For lessons and insights innumerable; for gastronomic, philosophic, and euphoric delights, I thank you. Chapters end, foundations in inspiration's form are laid so we may continue building our stories, borrowing from the past what ideas serve our constructions and setting aside our machinations when their function threatens structure's integrity.
We've tools aplenty, their function assured, may we wisely choose the best each time. I commit to constant improvement, of my life and ours. And when it's excellence that is wanting, may I find the strength and patience to strive therefor.
From foundations to our zenith and back, my love for you all is profound. Thank you for a beautiful journey."

And here's a quick list of things (I remember) I did this year.
"Well done! Great job in 2009! You,
did camp in Vernonia and there helped created a huge labyrinth,
gave 20 min. talk at Asilomar in front of 800+,
experienced romantic relationship,
traveled to New Zealand and Australia,
helped created a beautiful backyard farm,
washed the same dished countless times,
spoke at three churches in as many states; in Falls Church, VA; Camarillo, Ca; and Beaverton, OR,
read a number of fabulous books (how many, I don't exactly know),
had a fabulous birthday,
rode in a firetruck driven by one of my buddies,
saw a number of movies; good, great, and terrible,
enjoyed so many wonderful gustatory delights it's unbelievable,
enjoyed so many smiles and thank yous,
served many people, in many ways,
wrote, a lot; poetry and prose,
learned so many wonderful things,
rode my beautiful bike a good number of miles,
saw and heard the Dalai Lama speak,
became a published writer (SOM magazine, August),
maintained great physical shape,
ran 8 mi. straight for the first time,
served as Youth Community Leader (YCL), and Vision Core,
and,
did Yoga almost every morning.

I traveled to:
Denver, CO; Falls Church, VA; Washington DC; Portland, OR; Pacific Grove, Monterey, and Santa Cruz; Camarillo; New Zealand and Australia.

And now....
(more than) 3 Intentions for 2010!
Travel internationally
Enjoy great food, drink and conversation
Meet fascinating people
Serve selflessly
Create
Read 50+ books
Learn to drive stick
Camp/Hike/Climb
Drum up $90,000+ in college money (scholarships, grants, gifts, etc.)
Perform in a play/production

(actually) 3 Things I'll Do for Others in '10
Cook, clean and care for, whenever possible
Do 50 anonymous acts of kindness
Serve in an after-school program or Soup Kitchen, etc.

I release:
Actions that do not serve my highest good
Self-repression
Smallness, and
Lack

I affirm:
Eat, drink, and be Murray
I constantly improve my ability to serve and be served
I am abundant and successful in every endeavor

And so it is.
Until next time.