This Life

This human life is so precious and rare. A couple of days ago my neighbor passed away and she was very young! She couldn't have been older than fifty.

So suddenly it hit me, that I'll go too. I knew it but I didn't know it. So suddenly, and in such a real way, I intend now to make use of every moment, every second, and be happy as often as possible. I tend to wallow in misery and agony, but I need to stop that. This life is for family and dharma, and that's exactly where I want to direct my attention. My baby girl is the most precious gift that has walked this earth and she is going to know it, if she didn't before.

When my kind teacher had a stroke it still didn't hit me so much, because I didn't have my morning coffee with her every day and she's getting on in years. I was very sad and prayed many times a day for her. And I made offerings and practiced. But Anna, we shared coffee and jokes and bitches about life. She was my friend.

Anna was young, and she was part of my regular day. Then suddenly out of nowhere something burst in her brain and she was just gone.

Human life is so precious. We hear it, but do we really, really think about it? I do now. And I'm trying to make use every second. No more glazing out in my own inner agony, I must extend myself to this world.