Bucket List

The rash persists. I have to see my Cardiologist today. Maybe he has an idea of some drug that will knock the allergic reaction out. I cannot have surgery next Wednesday unless it clears up quick. A delay might mean a month of waiting to get back on my surgeon's packed calendar. I assume I can change my leave of absence at work if necessary.

These are the moments to stay centered and work with my mantra: "The only constant in life is change." It is also invokes one of my favorite quotes: "The steeper the mountain the harder the climb, the better the view from the finish line."

I am focusing on my bucket list this morning and how much I have to look forward to. I am imagining the spiritual calm I will feel when I visit Machu Picchu. I had what I assume will be a similar experience when we visited Tangboche in the early 1980's. The climb was monotonous but rhythmic over the 4 day journey from 9,000 - 12,687 feet on the yak trail in the Himalayas. The thin air challenges your spirit, the cabbage and yak meat supper the guides prepare impacts your body and mind.

When we arrived at the final camp, we wondered over to the Buddhist Monastery and knocked on the huge wooden doors. Remarkably, a monk invited us to enter and escorted us up a very narrow stone staircase to his sparse room. We sat, and as he offered tea and we listened to the chime of his Tibet Bells, we gazed out his small window at the peak of Mt. Everest. At that moment, I felt the greatest calm and was connected to the Earth and it's revolving truth.

I want to go back to Santorini and sit on the edge of the world again and take in the massive sea and ancient volcano peaks. I hear that New Zealand is 2 remarkable islands, with incredible Earth-scapes to behold.

In the presence of Earth's natural monuments, and the unimaginable dedication, creativity and work that went into building ancient sites dedicated to honoring the spirit that has moved humans for thousands of years, I get the deepest feelings of appreciation for life.