Monday, June 30, 2014

Web Comic Number 1! What?!@!


It's comics week here at PPOD!  Sometimes the muse is off on vacation or it's your birthday or whatnot, and there is no time for poetry, Dr. Jones.  There will be a few strips from different artists this week.  I am not sure if Bill Watterson is stopping by or not.  He hasn't gotten back to me.

This first one is mine, please forgive the lo-fi nature of the drawing.  I'm old, and I can only draw with a paper and pen.



Monday, June 23, 2014

A Four Year Old, Bubble Wrap and Priorities

What's this?

POP!

Oh this.
This is important.
This is SO important.
This is my right now.
This is my everything.

POP!
When I squeeze.
POP!
When I push.
POP! POP! POP!
When I stomp!

This!
This is great!
This is SO IMPORTANT!
This is so much more important
Than wearing pants,
Than getting dressed,
Than not being naked!


Friday, June 20, 2014

What An Honor!


I am so excited!  The world famous English yogi, Sir Lord Reginald Nigel Charles Cumberbottom-Smythe, DDS, has chosen to record "Guided Meditation For Parents" for his new album, "Meditation for busy folk: From Transit Workers to the Labour Party!"

Have a listen:



Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Guided Meditation for Parents

Ding

Ding

Ding

And now to sit-

Your posture should have a sense of awakeness
A sense of "I didn't get up last night three times because the thunder made the baby cry and the toddler wet the bed"
A sense of dignity
A sense of "I am going to wear something other than these dirty sweatpants to the grocery store"
A sense of what is going on in your body right now
A sense of "where it hurts on your upper lip where you got headbutted by a toddler saying good night"
A sense of "the pain in your lower back because she is too old to be carried to bed, but she insists"

Open yourself up to the thoughts
Coming and going through your mind
"Was that thump someone falling out of bed or someone trying to break into the house"
"Is someone crying or is my partner watching a movie.   I used to watch movies.  I like movies.  I wish I could watch a movie. I remember that one that I really liked where Julia Roberts was a bank robber.."
Its okay for the mind to wander.
It is what our minds do.

Open yourself up to the feelings
That may be around.
Being open to them all.
Sadness.  Fatigue.  Regret.  Anger.  Hostility.  Jealousy.  Rage.
That's enough feelings.

Now lets focus on the breathing.
In and out.
Wherever you feel that breath moving,
Focus on that place.
If you feel it on the upper lip that you meant to shave or wax last week.
In the back of your mouth, that may smell like a rat's hide because you don't remember the last time you brushed your teeth.
In your chest, that used to be so proud and firm, but now sags with disappointment.

A deep breath in-
They were so cute when they were little
And a full breath out-
They will be going to college soon.

A full breath in-
Then we can do all of the travelling we wanted to do.
And all of the way out-
As if we can afford travel and tuition.

And now coming aware of the area around the body
And the space around the body that the body takes up
All of that space.
Aware of how much the couch is sagging.
Did we really need to have that spoonful of Nutella on the cookie last night?
Did it really make the crying seem less intense?
Aware of how you could be exercising instead of meditating
But it takes so much more energy.

If there are areas of the body where you are feeling pain
Like your cold dead heart
Allow the breath to open those areas of the body and be softened,
And warmed like when you were in your twenties.
Remember how much of a crap you gave about things that now seem so insignificant.

Allow the breath to carry you and your consciousness
Into your day.

Ding

Ding

Ding


(Thanks and apologies to Mark Williams - actually awesome meditation guru)

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Thumbs Up

My parenting goals
Have changed
Over time.

I used to want to challenge my kids.
To help them grow up

     Strong

     Safe

     Well-adjusted

      Self-confident

      Patient

       Smart

       Proud

      Creative

      Musical

       Kind

Now I just want them to keep them happy,
So they have nice things
To say about me on their Facebook pages
On Father's Day when they're grown up!


Monday, June 16, 2014

Important Moments

Pumping gas-
Gazing past but not looking at my
Reflection in the darkened glass,
My mind focused on
The next ten places to go and
The next ten things to do.

I am brought back to the moment
By the vibrating thump thump thump
Of a small hand against the vented back window

I block the sun with my hand
So that I can see through my reflection,
To see who is thumping.
I don't even remember
Who got into which seat.

I see her face-
Shining!
Grinning from ear to ear!
HI! HI! HI!
I see you!
I see Dad out there!
Outside the car!  Pumping the gas!
HI DAD!

The next ten things need to stay the next 10 things.

I return her smile and enthusiastic wave.
Hi Darling!
HI! HI! HI!
I see you there, smiling and waving!
I love you, too!