Practicing Can Get Hard

I must have clicked this 1,000 times trying to learn this song watching what her left hand is doing. Talent is talent. One day I’ll get it. The hardest thing is making myself get up for water every few hours.

“There’s a Howlin Wind a’ringin around my ears.” I have not lost my faith.

Someone on Facebook said I’d lost my faith. True, by some’s definition. Not by mine. In fact I have more faith than ever. There’s something very powerful that ripples out with a ripple effect in our rippling universe when you’re just doing the right thing Day In Day Out not telling everyone. It has like a rippling effect. You occasionally see your own growth in wealth, love, character, senses of pleasure, empathy, compassion, whatever you’re aware of. You just accept everything you’re aware of and when you catch a glimpse, a feeling of that ripple coming back, thats karma and it is hilariously frightening at times. I was never more in line with faith than I am now at 54, it’s called alignment, non-resistance. It has many cool names. This is my faith right here, right now. Its all there is. Breathe. This train is bound for Glory.

-Damien


“Son you reap whatever you sow.”

-Mike Peters, of the 80’s arena Welsh rock band: the Alarm

Me Playing my Original Tune “Talk to Me” at the Victor Valley Community College Talent Show 3/19/2024

English Professor Damien Riley, 54, a local singer songwriter in Apple Valley, California plays and sings an original song at VVC in Victorville. His band is called “63 Lipless Fish.” They play occasionally in California and their music is featured on Youtube.

“What a great way to enjoy a Tuesday afternoon! Namaste!”  -Damien

Really into it, the students watched with baited breath: “What would Professor Riley be like performing music? Would he be like the instructor we know?”

The next time you reach for Ibuprofen for your mild headache remember this aphorism:

Wait a while and think of the less fortunate before taking Ibuprofen when you have a mild headache. In waiting, you foster the path of enlightenment through the practice of compassion.

Mild pain should be tolerated for a time as it gives us 3D empathy and compassion for those on the planet who live in pain 24/7.

Empathy and compassion for ourselves, furthermore, should precede compassion for others because we need more self-love that nurtures compassion for all beings on the path to Buddhist enlightenment. What’s all this in an even shorter aphorism?

I’m fine, I’ll wait.

Enjoy your day.

Namaste,

Damien